SBF Sea · Lights & shapes · Question 99
Which vessel shows these shapes?
- Correct answer: A vessel not under command.
- A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, underway.
- A vessel engaged in fishing, underway.
- A vessel aground of 50 m or more in length.
In short
Two black balls in a vertical line: the vessel is not under command. At night it shows two red all-round lights in a vertical line instead.
In detail
Tap a waypoint to dive deeper.
b
Restricted in ability to manoeuvreA vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shows three shapes: ball, diamond, ball. The diamond in the middle is missing here.
c
Vessel engaged in fishingA vessel engaged in fishing shows two cones with their points together, like an hourglass. No balls.
d
Aground, 50 m or moreA vessel aground shows three balls in a vertical line, whatever her length.
Switch the figure to night: the two balls become two red all-round lights. If the vessel is making way through the water, sidelights and a sternlight are added. It never shows a masthead light, as that would indicate a normally operating power-driven vessel.
1
One ballVessel at anchor, shown in the fore part.
2
Two ballsVessel not under command.
3
Three ballsVessel aground.
Vessels under 12 m in length need not show the lights and shapes for not under command. For most pleasure craft, this rule is one to recognise, not to show.