Rules of the Road · Light Identification — Pilot

A vessel showing an all-round white light over an all-round red light at the masthead, plus sidelights and a sternlight when underway, is a:

Explanation

White-over-red ('white over red, pilot ahead') at or near the masthead marks a pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty. Underway she adds sidelights and sternlight; at anchor she shows the pilot lights plus anchor light(s).

Authority: COLREGS/Navigation Rules, Rule 29

Practice the full Rules of the Road bank

Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.

Related Rules of the Road questions