Rule 25 · USCG Navigation Rules
Sailing vessel under 7 m / vessel under oars
If fixed lights are impracticable, a small sailing boat or rowing boat keeps an electric torch or lantern ready to show a white light in time to prevent collision.
Viewpoint
Display
Drag to orbit freely, scroll or pinch to zoom — or use the viewpoint buttons above (keyboard friendly).
From the port bow you see:
No fixed lights — she keeps a white torch or lantern ready to show in time to prevent collision.
→ Sailing vessel under 7 m / vessel under oars — No fixed lights (torch ready), seen from the port bow.
Memory aid
“Too small for fixed lights? Keep the white torch in hand and use it early.”
What it means
No fixed lights (torch ready)
She SHOULD show sidelights and a sternlight (or a tricolor) if practicable; failing that, she must have an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light ready to display in sufficient time to prevent collision. A vessel under oars has the same option.
Day shapes
No special day shape — by day this vessel is recognised by sight, not by shapes.
Light details
No fixed lights required — an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light is kept ready to prevent collision.
2D profile
Labelled side view — works without WebGL and in print. Variant shown: No fixed lights (torch ready).
In fog, she sounds
Don’t confuse with…
Official source
Rule 25, reproduced from the public-domain COLREGs Rule 25(d) — USCG Navigation Rules. Diagrams and 3D scenes are original to boatrules.com.