Rule 29 — Pilot Vessel Lights
NIGHT. You observe a vessel showing at or near her masthead two all-round lights in a vertical line: WHITE OVER RED.
Scenario briefing
NIGHT. You observe a vessel showing at or near her masthead two all-round lights in a vertical line: WHITE OVER RED. She also shows sidelights and a sternlight while making way. What is she?
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 29(a): pilot vessel on pilotage duty shows WHITE OVER RED all-round at or near the masthead.
- When underway, adds sidelights and sternlight (Rule 29(a)(ii)).
- At anchor, in addition to white-over-red, shows the Rule 30 anchor lights (Rule 29(a)(iii)).
- Day equivalent: there is no day shape — pilot vessels are identified by the international "H" flag.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reading white-over-red as a navigational marker or buoy — the masthead-height arrangement is the cue.
- Approaching a pilot vessel at close quarters without sounding — she may make sudden manoeuvres to embark/disembark pilots.
Why it matters
Exam relevance
Rule 29 pilot vessel lights are a standard probe in STCW OOW orals; less common in Yachtmaster Coastal but appears in Yachtmaster Offshore.
Related scenarios
About SkipperCheck simulators
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