Rules of the road

Power Vessels 1. A power vessel should keep out of the way of: a) Any vessel she is overtaking. b) a sailing vessel. c) vessels fishing. d) Any vessel “not under command”. e) vessels with restricted manoeuvrability. Navigation Lights This is a summary of the lights & shapes that you are likely to encounter close inshore on the Irish Coast.

OVERTAKING VESSEL STAYS CLEAR

2. When two power vessels are approaching head-on, each should go to starboard.

3. When two power vessels are crossing, so as to avoid risk of collision the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side keeps out of the way.

TWO POWER BOATS MEETING HEAD ON, BOATS STEER TO STARBOARD Power vessel under way 1. Mast lights - white light on the foremast visible from right ahead to 22.5° (two points) abaft the beam, and a similar light on the main mast (unnecessary on vessels under 50 m long). The forward light should be 5 m lower than the after light.

2. Side lights - on starboard a green light and on port a red light, each visible from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on its own side.

3. Stern light - white light visible from right astern to 22.5° abaft the beam on each side.

Small open boats – (most Sea Scout boats) Under oars or sail a lantern or torch should be carried to display a white light in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

Rules of the Road

Sailing vessel under way 1. Side and stern lights as before. Vessel at anchor 1. All-round white light forward.

2. No mast light, except - optional red over green all-round lights on the foremast.

3. A sailing vessel under 12 m may have a tricolour light at the masthead, showing red, green and white in the appropriate sectors, instead of separate side and stern lights.

4. A sailing vessel under sail and under power simultaneously, must show lights of a power vessel by night, and by day must carry a black cone, apex down, in the rigging.

Fishing vessels –Only when fishing; 1. - a green over a white light (visible all round) for trawling - a red over a white light for other types of fishing.

2. Side and stern lights when under way.

3. By day, fishing vessels display two black cones, points together, in fore rigging.

2. Vessel over 50 meters long will have another white light near the stern, lower than the forward light.

3. By day, one black ball in place of the forward light. Note: In practice, very large ships at anchor may also have all deck lights