COLREGs Annex II: Additional light signals for fishing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This annex covers additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity. It sets where the lights go and what lights trawlers and purse seiners exhibit. Trawlers of 20 meters or more must show the listed lights; smaller trawlers and purse seiners may.
Applies toFishing vessels fishing in close proximity that exhibit lights in pursuance of Rule 26(d), including trawlers and vessels fishing with purse seine gear.
What it says
The additional lights must be at least 0.9 meter apart and lower than the lights prescribed in Rule 26(b)(i) and (c)(i).
COLREGs Annex II 1“They shall be at least 0.9 meter apart but at a lower level than lights prescribed in Rule 26(b)(i) and (c)(i).”
The lights must be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile, but at a lesser distance than the lights these Rules prescribe for fishing vessels.
COLREGs Annex II 1“The lights shall be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile but at a lesser distance than the lights prescribed by these Rules for fishing vessels.”
A vessel of 20 meters or more in length engaged in trawling must show two white lights in a vertical line when shooting its nets.
COLREGs Annex II 2(a)(i)“(i) when shooting their nets: two white lights in a vertical line;”
A trawler of 20 meters or more in length must show one white light over one red light in a vertical line when hauling its nets.
COLREGs Annex II 2(a)(ii)“(ii) when hauling their nets: one white light over one red light in a vertical line;”
A trawler of 20 meters or more in length must show two red lights in a vertical line when its net has come fast upon an obstruction.
COLREGs Annex II 2(a)(iii)“(iii) when the net has come fast upon an obstruction: two red lights in a vertical line.”
Each vessel of 20 meters or more in length engaged in pair trawling must show, by night, a searchlight directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair.
COLREGs Annex II 2(b)(i)“(i) by night, a searchlight directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair;”
A vessel of less than 20 meters in length engaged in trawling or pair trawling may show the lights prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate.
COLREGs Annex II 2(c)“may exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate.”
Vessels fishing with purse seine gear may show two yellow lights in a vertical line, and may show them only when hampered by their fishing gear.
COLREGs Annex II 3“These lights may be exhibited only when the vessel is hampered by its fishing gear.”
Common questions
What lights must a trawler show when hauling its nets?
A vessel of 20 meters or more in length engaged in trawling must show one white light over one red light in a vertical line when hauling its nets.
“(ii) when hauling their nets: one white light over one red light in a vertical line;”
How do purse seiners' yellow lights flash?
The two yellow lights in a vertical line must flash alternately every second, with equal light and occultation duration.
“These lights shall flash alternately every second and with equal light and occultation duration.”
Do trawlers under 20 meters have to show the additional lights?
No. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length engaged in trawling or pair trawling may show the lights, as appropriate.
“may exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate.”
The text of COLREGs Annex II
U.S. Coast Guard, Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook
Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels
Fishing in Close Proximity 1. General The lights mentioned herein shall, if exhibited in pursuance of Rule 26(d), be placed where they can best be seen. They shall be at least 0.9 meter apart but at a lower level than lights prescribed in Rule 26(b)(i) and (c)(i). The lights shall be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile but at a lesser distance than the lights prescribed by these Rules for fishing vessels. 2. Signals for trawlers (a) Vessels of 20 meters or more in length when engaged in trawling, whether using demersal or pelagic gear, shall exhibit: (i) when shooting their nets: two white lights in a vertical line; (ii) when hauling their nets: one white light over one red light in a vertical line; (iii) when the net has come fast upon an obstruction: two red lights in a vertical line. (b) Each vessel of 20 meters or more in length engaged in pair trawling shall exhibit: (i) by night, a searchlight directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair; (ii) when shooting or hauling their nets or when their nets have come fast upon an obstruction, the lights prescribed in 2(a) above. (c) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length engaged in trawling, whether using demersal or pelagic gear, or engaged in pair trawling, may exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate. 3. Signals for purse seiners Vessels engaged in fishing with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line. These lights shall flash alternately every second and with equal light and occultation duration. These lights may be exhibited only when the vessel is hampered by its fishing gear.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of August 12, 2024. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.