Rule 26 · USCG Navigation Rules
Vessel engaged in trawling
Green over white all-round lights; ≥50 m trawlers also carry a masthead light abaft and higher than the green. Sidelights and a sternlight appear only when making way.
Situation
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:
- All-round green (upper)
- All-round white (lower)
→ Vessel engaged in trawling — Underway, not making way, seen from the port bow.
Memory aid
“Green over white — trawling tonight.”
What it means
Underway, not making way
Stopped in the water: only the green-over-white pair shows. A trawler of 50 m or more must still exhibit the after masthead light; under 50 m it is optional. Rule 26 applies whether underway or at anchor.
Making way through the water
Moving through the water she adds sidelights and a sternlight. The masthead light abaft of and higher than the green light is compulsory at 50 m or more; under 50 m she may show it but need not.
Day shapes
Underway, not making way
Two cones, points together
Two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line — the day mark of every vessel engaged in fishing.
Making way through the water
Two cones, points together
Two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line.
Light details
Underway, not making way
| Light | Colour | Arc | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-round green (upper) | green | 360° all-round | Mast, vertical line (top) |
| All-round white (lower) | white | 360° all-round | Mast, vertical line (2nd from top) |
Making way through the water
| Light | Colour | Arc | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-round green (upper) | green | 360° all-round | Mast, vertical line (top) |
| All-round white (lower) | white | 360° all-round | Mast, vertical line (2nd from top) |
| Masthead light abaft & higher (optional under 50 m) | white | 225° forward | Aft masthead position, higher |
| Port sidelight | red | 112.5° to port | Port side, deck level |
| Starboard sidelight | green | 112.5° to starboard | Starboard side, deck level |
| Sternlight | white | 135° aft | Stern |
2D profile
Labelled side view — works without WebGL and in print. Variant shown: Underway, not making way.
In fog, she sounds
Don’t confuse with…
Official source
Rule 26, reproduced from the public-domain COLREGs Rule 26(b) — USCG Navigation Rules. Diagrams and 3D scenes are original to boatrules.com.