Rule 27 — NUC and RAM (lights)

33 CFR §83.27

Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver (Rule 27). (a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit: (i) Two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; (ii) Two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; and (iii) When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight. (b) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit: (i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; (ii) Three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of th…

COLREGs Rule 27

Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit: (i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; (ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; (iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight. Vessel not under command—not making way. Same for Inland. (b) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit: (i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; (ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best …

COLREGs Rule 27(a)

Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit: (i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; (ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; (iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight. Vessel not under command—not making way. Same for Inland. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 27 is word-for-word identical to this rule.

COLREGs Rule 27(b)

Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (b) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit: (i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; (ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond; (iii) when making way through the water, a masthead light or lights, sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed in subparagraph (i); (iv) when at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the light, lights or shape prescribed in…

COLREGs Rule 27(c)

Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (c) A power-driven vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 24(a), exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 27 is word-for-word identical to this rule.

COLREGs Rule 27(d)

Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this Rule and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit: (i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists; (ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass; (iii) when at anchor, the lights or shapes prescribed in this paragraph instead of the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30. Vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations when restricted in ability to maneuver—making way wi…