Section 2 Vertical positioning and spacing of lights — International

(a) On a power-driven vessel of 20 metres or more in length the masthead lights shall be placed as follows:

(i) the forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than six metres, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds six metres, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so however that the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 12 metres,

(ii) when two masthead lights are carried the after one shall be at least 4.5 metres vertically higher than the forward one.

(b) The vertical separation of masthead lights of power-driven vessels shall be such that in all normal conditions of trim the after light will be seen over and separate from the forward light at a distance of 1 000 metres from the stem when viewed from sea level.

(c) The masthead light of a power-driven vessel of 12 metres but less than 20 metres in length shall be placed at a height above the gunwale of not less than 2.5 metres.

(d) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may carry the uppermost light at a height of less than 2.5 metres above the gunwale.

(d.1) Where a masthead light is carried in addition to sidelights and a sternlight or where the all-round light described in subparagraph (d)(i) of Rule 23 is carried in addition to sidelights, the masthead light or the all-round light shall be carried at least one metre higher than the sidelights.

(e) One of the two or three masthead lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel when engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall be placed in the same position as either the forward masthead light or the after masthead light, provided that, if carried on the aftermast, the lowest after masthead light shall be at least 4.5 metres vertically higher than the forward masthead light.

(f) (i) The masthead light or lights prescribed in Rule 23(a) shall be so placed as to be above and clear of all other lights and obstructions except as described in subparagraph (ii).

(ii) When it is impracticable to carry the all-round lights prescribed by Rule 27(b)(i) or Rule 28 below the masthead lights, they may be carried above the after masthead light(s) or vertically in between the forward masthead light(s) and after masthead light(s), provided that in the latter case the requirement of section 3(c) of this Annex shall be complied with.

(g) The sidelights of a power-driven vessel shall be placed at a height above the hull not greater than three-quarters of that of the forward masthead light. They shall not be so low as to be interfered with by deck lights.

(h) The sidelights, if in a combined lantern and carried on a power-driven vessel of less than 20 metres in length, shall be placed not less than one metre below the masthead light.

(i) When the Rules prescribe two or three lights to be carried in a vertical line, they shall be spaced as follows:

(i) on a vessel of 20 metres in length or more, such lights shall be spaced not less than two metres apart, and the lowest of these lights shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of not less than four metres above the hull,

(ii) on a vessel of less than 20 metres in length, the lights shall be spaced not less than one metre apart and the lowest of the lights shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of not less than two metres above the gunwale,

(iii) when three lights are carried they shall be equally spaced.

(j) The lower of the two all-round lights prescribed for a vessel when engaged in fishing shall be at a height above the sidelights not less than twice the distance between the two vertical lights.

(k) The forward anchor light prescribed in Rule 30(a)(i), when two are carried, shall not be less than 4.5 metres above the after one. On a vessel of 50 metres or more in length this forward anchor light shall be placed at a height of not less than six metres above the hull.

(l) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, on a power-driven vessel of 20 metres or more in length the masthead lights may be placed as follows:

(i) the forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than five metres, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds five metres, then at a height above the hull of not less than such breadth, but the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than eight metres,

(ii) where two masthead lights are carried, the after one shall be at least two metres vertically higher than the forward one.

(m) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, the masthead light or the all-round white light referred to in Rule 23(d), for a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length shall be carried at least one metre higher than the sidelights.

(n) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, one of the two or three masthead lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel when engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall be placed in the same position as the forward masthead light or the after masthead light, but where the light is carried on the aftermast the lowest after masthead light shall be at least two metres vertically higher than the forward masthead light.

(o) Notwithstanding paragraph (g), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, the sidelights of a power-driven vessel may be placed at least one metre lower than the forward masthead light but shall not be so low as to be interfered with by deck lights.

(p) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i)(i), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, where a vessel of 20 metres in length or more is required to carry two or three lights in a vertical line, these lights may be spaced not less than one metre apart, and the lowest of these lights shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of not less than four metres above the hull.

(q) The all-round white lights prescribed for an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object or a barge in Rules 24(g) and (j), respectively, shall be carried at the same height and shall be placed at a height of not less than two metres above the water.

(r) The vertical separation of masthead lights required by subparagraph (a)(ii) and paragraph (b) is illustrated in Appendix II to Standards for Navigation Lights, Shapes, Sound-Signalling Appliances, TP 1861, published by Transport Canada, as amended from time to time.