Pilot Vessels

A pilot vessel on duty shows white over red all-round lights at the masthead. When underway, also sidelights and sternlight.

Rule 29 covers lights for pilot vessels.

A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit: at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower being red; when underway, sidelights and a sternlight; when at anchor, the anchor lights prescribed in Rule 30.

A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.

Recognition Sequence

Classify the vessel state first: underway, making way, stopped, at anchor, aground, towing, fishing, pilotage or special condition.

Read special lights vertically from top to bottom before using sidelights and sternlight to confirm aspect.

Then confirm the answer with the day shape, vessel length and any extra signal such as towing lights, deck illumination or a cylinder.

Exam Focus

Avoid identifying a vessel from one colour alone. Many mistakes come from spotting a red light and guessing before checking the full pattern.

If the question mentions 'making way', 'underway but stopped', 'at anchor' or 'aground', that wording usually determines which extra lights or shapes appear.

Key Takeaways

White over red all-round lights at masthead when on duty

Normal navigation lights (sidelights, sternlight) when underway

Normal anchor lights when at anchor

Shows regular lights when not on pilotage duty

Common Mistakes

Confusing pilot vessel lights with other special vessel lights

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