Article 3.13 - Marking for small craft under way

1. Small motorized craft proceeding alone shall carry:

(a) A masthead light; this light shall be in the axis of the craft, at least 1 m higher than the side lights, and shall be bright instead of strong;

(b) Side lights; these lights may be ordinary instead of bright and shall be placed either:

(i) As prescribed in article 3.08, paragraph 1 (b); or

(ii) Side-by-side or in the same lamp, in the axis of the craft, at or near the bow;

(c) The stern light prescribed in article 3.08, paragraph 1 (c). However, the requirement to carry this light may be waived; but in such case, the masthead light referred to in (a) above shall be a bright white light visible from all directions.

2. Motorized small craft less than 7 m long proceeding alone may carry, instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph 1 above, an ordinary white light in a suitable position and high enough to be visible from all directions.

3. When a small craft is towing or propelling in side-by-side formation only other small craft, it shall carry by night the lights prescribed in paragraph 1 above.

4. Small craft in tow or propelled in side-by-side formation shall carry by night an ordinary white light visible from all directions. This provision shall not apply to ships’ boats.

5. Small sailing craft under way shall carry:

By night:

Side lights and stern light, the side lights being placed side-by-side or in the same lamp in the axis of the craft, at or near the bow, and the stern light being placed in the after part of the craft; however, these lights may be ordinary lights; or

Side lights and a stern light in the same lamp placed in a suitable position at the top or on the upper part of the mast; this light may be an ordinary light; or

In the case of craft less than 7 m long, an ordinary white light visible from all directions. On the approach of other vessels, such craft shall in addition display a second ordinary white light.

6. Small craft proceeding alone which are neither motorized nor under sail shall carry:

By night:

An ordinary white light visible from all directions.

However, ships’ boats under these conditions need not display this light except on the approach of other vessels.

7. When passing through the opening of a fixed or closed bridge or weir, or when passing though locks, the masthead lights prescribed in this article may be carried at a reduced height so that passage may be effected without difficulty.