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COLREGs trainerPart C: Lights and Shapes

Rule 22

Visibility of Lights

Minimum ranges depending on vessel length.

(a) Vessels 50 m or more

Masthead light: 6 miles Sidelight: 3 miles Sternlight: 3 miles Towing light: 3 miles White, red, green or yellow all-round light: 3 miles
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Wording follows the International Regulations as printed in the US Coast Guard Navigation Rules handbook (2024), with British spelling, and is shortened in places. Download the rules

Read the whole of Rule 22 on one page

(a) Vessels 50 m or more

Masthead light: 6 miles Sidelight: 3 miles Sternlight: 3 miles Towing light: 3 miles White, red, green or yellow all-round light: 3 miles

(b) Vessels 12 m to under 50 m

Masthead light: 5 miles (3 miles if the vessel is under 20 m) Sidelight: 2 miles Sternlight: 2 miles Towing light: 2 miles All-round light: 2 miles

(c) Vessels under 12 m

Masthead light: 2 miles Sidelight: 1 mile Sternlight: 2 miles Towing light: 2 miles All-round light: 2 miles

(d) Inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed

White all-round light: 3 miles

A training aid, not the official text. The COLREGs are an IMO convention, and your national authority publishes the version that applies in its waters. Check the rules themselves before you rely on them at sea. Download the rules.