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Virginia Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 10, 2017) |
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Title 4. Conservation and Natural Resources |
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Agency 15. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries |
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Chapter 420. Watercraft: Navigation Lights and Shapes |
Section 80. Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver
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A. A vessel not under command shall exhibit:
1. Two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen;
2. Two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; and
3. When making way through the water, sidelights and a sternlight in addition to the lights prescribed in this section.
B. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver shall exhibit:
1. Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
2. Three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond;
3. When making way through the water, masthead lights, sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed in subdivision 1 of this subsection; and
4. When at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, the light, lights or shapes prescribed in 4VAC15-420-100.
C. A vessel engaged in a towing operation that severely restricts the towing vessel and its tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subdivisions B 1 and B 2 of this section, exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in 4VAC15-420-50.
D. A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in its ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in subdivisions B 1, B 2, and B 3 of this section and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit:
1. Two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
2. Two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass; and
3. When at anchor, the lights or shape prescribed by this section, instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in 4VAC15-420-100 for anchored vessels.
E. Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in subsection D of this section, the following shall instead be exhibited:
1. Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white.
2. A rigid replica of the international code flag "A" not less than 3.3 feet (1 meter) in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.
F. A vessel of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length, except when engaged in diving operations, is not required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this section.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 19, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 2003.