Rule 26(c) — Fishing (Nets / Lines, Non-Trawling)
NIGHT. A vessel at or near her masthead shows two all-round lights in a vertical line: RED OVER WHITE.
Scenario briefing
NIGHT. A vessel at or near her masthead shows two all-round lights in a vertical line: RED OVER WHITE. She is making way, no trawl gear, working with set NETS or lines. Identify her activity.
Applicable COLREG rule(s)
📸 Night recognition — 8 aspects
The same vessel rendered every 45° of aspect — bow, starboard bow, beam, quarter, stern, port quarter, beam, bow. Use this strip to learn how the lights present from each approach angle. Click any image to view full size.
Key teaching points
- Rule 26(c)(ii): a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling, with outlying gear extending more than 150 m horizontally, shows an additional all-round WHITE light in the direction of the gear.
- For trawlers, Rule 26(b)(i) requires green-over-white masthead lights; the gear is generally aft along the towline (300–500 m).
- Vessel-engaged-in-fishing identification triggers Rule 18(a)(iii) priority — power-driven vessels must keep clear.
- In a narrow channel, Rule 9(c) prevents the fishing vessel from impeding a vessel constrained to the channel.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crossing close astern of a trawler without leaving 500+ m clearance — the trawl extends well beyond the visible hull.
- Reading the gear-marker white light as a masthead or sternlight of a separate vessel.
Why it matters
Exam relevance
Rule 26(c)(ii) supplemental gear lights are a fine-detail probe in STCW OOW orals and an advanced topic in Yachtmaster Offshore.
Related scenarios
About SkipperCheck simulators
SkipperCheck offers two browser-based maritime training simulators:
- ARPA · AIS · COLREG Bridge Simulator — 54 scenarios covering Rules 2, 5–10, 12–19, 23–30, 34 and 35.
- VHF SRC Radio Simulator — 15 scenarios: voice Mayday, DSC distress, Mayday Relay, Pan-Pan, Sécurité, routine.
Both run in any modern browser, on desktop or mobile. No install, no plugins.