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v 126

Mmm vsl l vssl 126

Vssl v l m

d ss 126

Vssl v ls dspld 126

Sl d m pd vssls 127

Ps 128

L vssls 128

d 130

Dv ps m smll vssl 132

s 133

Dfs d lssfs 133

Cc c 134

Sd sls vssls sd

vsl (d d ) 134

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and soundsignals

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vessel navigationlightsThe Marine Saety Act requires that lights must

be displayed rom sunset to sunrise and in times

o restricted visibility during daylight hours.

Minimum ranges at which lights can be seenreer to conditions on a dark night with a clear

atmosphere.

The inormation in this chapter is based on

the International Regulations for Preventing

Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS), Marine

Saety Act and Marine Saety Regulations.

MiniMuM visibility

or length o vesselVessel length in metres = m

Distance in nautical miles = nm

v

< 12m

12m

50m

50m

l dc mmm

M 2nm 5nm* 6nm

s 1nm 2nm 3nm

s 2nm 2nm 3nm

t 2nm 2nm 3nm

a-

(, ,

, )

2nm 2nm 3nm

* Where the length o a vessel is 12m or more, but less

than 20m, the masthead light visibility is 3 nautical miles.

vessel navigation lightsto be displayed

rc c

All recreational vessels must show an

all-round white light while at anchor.

I the vessel is driting (under way but

not making way) the vessel must display

appropriate lights.

or

c

c 3

.

vessel navigation lightMounting and seCtors

ahead

astern

Stern Lightwhite

MaStheaDLightwhite

beaM

PortSiDeLight

(reD)

67.5roM right

at

22.5

abaft

beaM

22.5abaftbeaM

22.5

abaft

beaM

22.5abaftbeaM

StarboarDSiDeLight

(green)

67.5roM right

at

beaM

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sail and huMan powered vessels

s

A sailing vessel under way must exhibit side lights and a stern light. I the vessel is less than

20m in length, the sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern (tricolour lantern)

carried at or near the top o the mast where it can be seen.

In addition to the sidelights and stern light, a sailing vessel may exhibit at or near the top o the

mast, where they can be best seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red

and the lower being green. These lights must not be exhibited in conjunction with a combined

lantern (tricolour lantern).

s

( ) 7m

I practicable, any o the combinations or

vessels under sail or an electric torch or

lighted lantern showing a white light

and exhibited in sucient time to

prevent collision.

v 7m

x

cf

rm whenever a sailing vessel is using its engine, with or without sails,

it is a power-driven vessel within the meaning o the rules, and must act accordingly

and show the appropriate shapes by day and lights by night. This means that a tricolour

lantern or two red/green masthead lights must not be used under power.

or

or

exhibit torch or Lanternin tiMe to aVoiD coLLiSion

Shine torch on SaiL

MaStheaD LightS oPtionaL

coMbination MaStheaD Light

or

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powerboats

p

Vessels under 12m in length must show

the ollowing lights:

a) sidelights and an all round white light

b) sidelights, masthead lights and a stern light.

larger vessels

u 50m

For vessels under 50m in length, a second

masthead light is optional.

For vessels under 12m in length, sidelights

may be a combined lantern on ore and

at centreline.

v

When tow length is under 200m, two

masthead lights are shown (three masthead

lights i over 200m). A yellow towing light is

situated over the stern light o the towing

vessel. The towed vessel shows side and

stern lights.

v c

Length 50m or more: two all-round lights,

the orward one higher than the at one.

Length under 50m: second (lower) light

at stern is optional.

A vessel o 100m or more length shall

also illuminate her decks with lights.

v 7m

7 k

Power-driven vessels o less than 7m in

length, whose maximum speed does not

exceed 7 knots, when under way, may

exhibit an all-round white light.Sidelights should also be shown

i practicable.

SiDe LightSi PracticabLe unDer 50M50M or More

tow Length

unDer 50M

aStern aheaD unDer 12M

a

b

or

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v

Anchor lights and two all-round

red lights. Vessel under 12m length

is not required to exhibit these lights.

This signal does not mean distress or

in need o help, but operators should

navigate with caution.

v c

Power-driven vessel restricted to a

narrow channel by her draught and

thus unable to deviate rom course.

Lights or power-driven vessel under

way and three all-round red lights.

p Two all-round lights, the top light white

and the lower light red.

When at anchor, shows anchor light or

lights. When under way, shows sidelights

and stern light.

v cmm

Two all-round red lights and when making

way through the water, sidelights and stern

light (vessels under 12m in length are not

required to comply with these lights). This

signal does not mean distress, but shows

inability to manoeuvre. Vessels are required

to keep clear o vessels not under command.

v c m (c )

Three all-round lights, top and bottom

lights red and the middle light white.

When making way through the water,

vessel also shows masthead lights,

sidelights and stern light.

When at anchor, vessel also shows anchor

lights. This signal does not indicate distress

or a need or help, but operators shouldnavigate with caution.

v

Vessel with an obstruction on one side shall,

in addition to restricted ability to manoeuvre

lights, carry two all-round red lights, on the

side o the obstruction. Also two all-round

green lights on the side that vessels may pass.

anchoreD aheaD(not Making way)

aheaD(Making way)

aheaD(Making way)

aStern(Making way)

PaSS SaeLythiS SiDe

obStructionthiS SiDe

anchoreD ornot Making way

anchoreD aStern(unDer way)

aheaD(unDer way)

aStern aheaD

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Cmmc f

Two all-round lights, the top light green and

the lower light white.

A rear masthead light is optional or shing

vessels under 50m in length. As making way

through water, sidelights and stern lights

are shown.

( )

Two all-round lights, the top light red

and the lower light white. I outlying gear

extends over 150m horizontally rom

shing vessel, shows one all-round

white light in direction o gear (sidelights

and stern light shown when making way

through water).

v k c

( xm, rm i )

Vessel shows an all-round red light at each

end and an all-round green light above the

red light at the orward end to indicate the

direction in which the vessel is proceeding.

v c

p/rm i c

m c c k c .

day shapesor vesselsThese signals are shown by day in all

weathers on vessels to denote certain

activities in which they are engaged.

In restricted visibility, the appropriatelights should also be displayed by day.

You must be able to recognise these

day shapes which are generally used

by larger vessels.

v c

Not required or vessels o lessthan 7m when at anchor not in a

channel or channel approach, or

a usual anchorage, etc.

Forward, where best seen,

ONE BLACK BALL.

v

(m )Forward, where best seen

ONE BLACK CONE, point down.aStern

(Making way)aheaD

(Making way)

Direction o traVeL

aStern(Making way)

aheaD(Making way) (Making way)

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Trawls, nets or other gear

(under way or at anchor).

In a vertical line,

TWO BLACK CONES,

pointing toward each other.

v c

Power-driven vessel restricted to a

narrow channel by her draught and

thus unable to deviate rom

her course.

Where best seen, ONE CYLINDER.

v cmm

Not required or vessels under 12m.

Not distress, but indicates inability

to manoeuvre.

Where best seen, in a vertical line,

TWO BLACK BALLS.

v

This signal does not indicate distress

or a need or help

(not required or vessels

under 12m length).

Where best seen, in a vertical

line, THREE BLACK BALLS.

v c m

For example, vessels engaged in: fying aircrat, cable laying, replenishment

at sea, underwater operations, servicing navigation marks, towing, where

manoeuvre is restricted by tow. This signal does not indicate distress or a

need or help.

When at anchor, vessel also shows anchor shape. Where best seen,

in a vertical line, BLACK BALL, BLACK DIAMOND, BLACK BALL.

p-

Vessel being towed i length o tow

exceeds 200m.

On each vessel where best seen,

ONE BLACK DIAMOND. Length o tow MeaSure here

(tow Line May be SubMergeD)

v

With an obstruction on one side shall, in addition

to the above shapes, carry TWO BLACK BALLS

on the side o the obstruction, and TWO BLACK

DIAMONDS on the side on which vessels

may pass.

BLACK BALLS ON BOTH SIDES may be used

to indicate passage or channel is blocked

and vessels should await instructions

beore proceeding.

PaSS SaeLythiS SiDe

obStructionthiS SiDe

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a f k m k

c 100m , c c

.

diving operationsroM a sMall vessel

Any vessel with divers operating rom it

must always display signals by day or night

to inorm other vessel users.

The daytime signal or divers is an

international Code Flag A, at least 750mmlong and 600mm wide.

It should be placed to ensure all-round

visibility.

During night diving, a vessel must show the

international signal or a vessel restricted in

its ability to manoeuvre. These are three lights

in a vertical line, top and bottom are red and

the middle one is white.

reD

white

reD

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M

Whistle signals below may be supplementedby light signals using the same code.

dc s

I am altering my

course to starboard

I am altering my

course to port

I am operatingastern propulsion

Signal to alert

another vessel that

you are unsure o its

intentions, or doubt

whether you are

taking enough action

to avoid collision

w c

When the vessel overtaking or being

overtaken must take action to permit

sae passing.

dc s

I intend to overtake

on your starboard

I intend to overtake

on your port

Agreement byovertaken vessel

A vessel in doubt

about signals,

intentions or saety

o the proposed

manoeuvre o an

overtaking vessel

Vessel nearing blindbend in channel

Vessel other side o

bend repeats

sound andlight signals

deinitions and ClassiiCations

w

Means o making short or long blasts

s

About one second duration

p

46 seconds duration

v 100m m

Use whistle, bell and gong

v 12m m

Use whistle and bell

v 12m

Use any ecient sound signal

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ConduCt o vessels in restriCted visibilityAdapt the vessels speed to prevailing conditions and be prepared or instant course

and speed alterations.

Every vessel hearing another vessels og signal apparently orward o the beam,

should reduce speed to a minimum or stop.

It should then exercise extreme caution until the danger o a collision is over.

sound signals or vessels in restriCted visibility (day and night)

dc Mx s

Power under way and making wayevery twominutes

Power under way and not making waythrough water

every twominutes

Not under command

Restricted manoeuvring

Constrained by her draught

Sailing ship not under power

Vessel fshing

Vessel towing or pushing

every twominutes

Vessel towed i mannedevery twominutes

Pilot vessel on duty gives normal signals aboveand may sound our short blasts

Vessel at anchor (under 100m in length)BELL rung or ve seconds

everyminute

Vessel at anchor (100m or more in length) BELL rung orve seconds rom the bow o the vessel and then GONGrung ve seconds rom the at o the vessel immediatelyollowing bell signal

everyminute

Vessel at anchor may give WARNING o possibility ocollision to approaching vessel

Vessel aground as at anchor but preceded and ollowedby three separate and distinct BELL strokes

Vessels under 12m in length may make the appropriatesignals given above but, i not, must make some otherecient sound signal every two minutes

Beore you sit your test to get your marine licence, would you like to check your knowledgeabout the inormation in this handbook? We have sample test questions available.

Download the questions rom the Transport Saety Victoria website..c...

To have a copy mailed to you call 1800 223 022 or emailm@.c.. .

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