Rule 23: Power Driven Vessels Underway | Lights & Shapes In Depth

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---------ABOUT THE VIDEO---------

This video was originally uploaded to our other channel, Casual Navigation, back in 2018.

This video is an "in depth" look at Rule 23 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Rule 23 continues the section looking at Light and Shapes of different vessels. This rule defines the lights that a power driven vessel underway is obliged to exhibit.

---------RULE 23---------

Rule 23: Power-driven vessels underway

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

i. a masthead light forward;

ii. a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;

iii. sidelights;

iv. a sternlight.

(b) An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.

(c) A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit a high intensity all-round flashing red light.

(d)
i. A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights;

ii. a power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights;

iii. the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centre line of the vessel if centreline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centre line of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light.

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