Rule 30

Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground.

(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;

(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 metres in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 metres and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.

(d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule and in addition, where they can best be seen;

(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line;

(ii) three balls in a vertical line.

(e) A vessel of less than 7 metres in length, when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

(f) A vessel of less than 12 metres in length, when aground, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (d)(i) and (ii) of this Rule.

Usually the anchor chain is more often than not seen before the black ball on vessels at anchor.  However, note particularly paragraphs (e) and (f) when length limitations apply to vessels required to show these signals.  In short, a vessel less than 7m in length does not need to show anchor lights or shapes, provided it is not in or near a narrow channel or fairway and a vessel less than 12m in length is not obliged to show signals indicating that it is aground.   Therefore, a vessel of between 7m and 12m in length must show anchor lights and/or shapes irrespective of where it anchors.

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Rule-31