Rule 29 — Pilot Vessels (lights)

33 CFR §83.20

Application (Rule 20). (a) Rules in this subpart (Rules 20-31) (§§ 83.20 through 83.31) shall be complied with in all weathers. (b) The Rules concerning lights (§§ 83.20 through 83.31) shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper lookout. (c) The lights prescribed by these Rules shall, if carried, also be exhibited from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary. (d) The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day. (e) The lights and shapes specified in these Ru…

33 CFR §83.21

Definitions (Rule 21). (a) Masthead light means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel. (b) Sidelights mean a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. On a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the side lights may be c…

33 CFR §83.22

Visibility of lights (Rule 22). The lights prescribed in these Rules (Subpart C) shall have an intensity as specified in Annex I to these Rules (33 CFR part 84), so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges: (a) In a vessel of 50 meters or more in length: (i) A masthead light, 6 miles; (ii) A sidelight, 3 miles; (iii) A sternlight, 3 miles; (iv) A towing light, 3 miles; (v) A white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles; and (vi) A special flashing light, 2 miles. (b) In a vessel of 12 meters or more in length but less than 50 meters in length: (i) A masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, 3 miles; (ii) A sidelight, 2 miles; (iii) A sternlight, 2 miles; (iv) A towing light, 2 miles; (v) A white, red, green or …

33 CFR §83.29

Pilot vessels (Rule 29). (a) A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit: (i) At or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red; (ii) When underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight; and (iii) When at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (i) of this Rule, the anchor light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30 (§ 83.30) for vessels at anchor. (b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a vessel of her length. [USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44280, July 27, 2015]

33 CFR §84.02

Vertical positioning and spacing of lights. (a) On a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the masthead lights shall be placed as follows: (i) The forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than 5 meters, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 5 meters, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so however that the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 8 meters. (ii) When two masthead lights are carried the after one shall be at least 2 meters vertically higher than the forward one. (b) The vertical separation of the masthead lights of power-driven vessels shall be such that in all normal conditions of trim the after light will be seen over and sepa…

33 CFR §84.03

Horizontal positioning and spacing of lights. (a) Except as specified in paragraph (e) of this section, when two masthead lights are prescribed for a power-driven vessel, the horizontal distance between them must not be less than one quarter of the length of the vessel but need not be more than 50 meters. The forward light must be placed not more than one half of the length of the vessel from the stem. (b) On a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the sidelights shall not be placed in front of the forward masthead lights. They shall be placed at or near the side of the vessel. (c) When the lights prescribed in Rule 27(b)(i) (§ 83.27(b)(i) of this chapter) are placed vertically between the forward masthead light(s) and the after masthead light(s), these all-round lights sha…