White over red
Pilot vessel. Foundation level, about 2 min. COLREGs Rule 29.
The situation
Night, approaching a port. Ahead you see a white all-round light above a red one, and below them both a red and a green sidelight.
What is this vessel?
- A pilot vessel on duty, underway, heading toward you: White over red plus both sidelights.
- A vessel engaged in fishing: Two all-round lights, one red and one white.
- A vessel at anchor: An all-round white light.
Lookout: “White over red, pilot ahead.” Do not confuse it with red over white, a vessel fishing.
The sound answer
A pilot vessel on duty, underway, heading toward you
A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shows white over red all-round lights at or near the masthead and, when underway, sidelights and a sternlight. Both sidelights mean she is heading toward you.
Why the other options fall short
A vessel engaged in fishing
Fishing other than trawling shows red over white, the reverse order. Which colour is on top matters.
A vessel at anchor
A vessel at anchor shows all-round white anchor lights but no sidelights and no red all-round light.
Rule 29 · Pilot vessels
A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shows two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper white and the lower red, and when underway sidelights and a sternlight as well.