During which period must a vessel comply with the COLREGS rules concerning navigation lights?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 20 (Application)
Victoria Marine Licence Test · Lights
Victoria Marine Licence Test Practice Questions: Lights, Shapes and Signals (2026)
Navigation lights answer two questions at a glance: what is that vessel, and which way is it heading. Under COLREGS Rule 20 the light rules apply from sunset to sunrise, and by day in restricted visibility; the shapes rules apply by day. The core set defined in Rule 21 is a white masthead light showing over 225 degrees, a green starboard sidelight and a red port sidelight each showing over 112.5 degrees, and a white sternlight over 135 degrees. Small craft get concessions: a power-driven vessel under 12 metres may show an all-round white light plus sidelights instead of the standard set (Rule 23).
Practice
Free practice questions
What colour is a masthead light, as defined in the COLREGS?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 21 (Definitions)
For a vessel of 50 metres or more in length, what is the minimum range at which its masthead light must be visible?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 22 (Visibility of Lights)
What additional light must a WIG craft exhibit when taking off, landing, or in flight near the surface?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 23 (Power-driven Vessels Underway)
When a towing vessel illuminates the towline towards a vessel in distress, what does this help indicate?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 24 (Towing and Pushing)
What day shape must a vessel proceeding under sail while also being propelled by machinery exhibit?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 25 (Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars)
What must a vessel that is not engaged in fishing exhibit, instead of the lights and shapes prescribed for fishing vessels?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 26 (Fishing Vessels)
Which vessels of less than 12 metres are still required to exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 27 (Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Manoeuvre)
In addition to the lights for power-driven vessels, what lights may a vessel constrained by her draft exhibit?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 28 (Vessels Constrained by Their Draft)
What two all-round lights does a vessel engaged on pilotage duty exhibit at or near the masthead?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 29 (Pilot Vessels)
The basic light set, and small-vessel concessions
Learn the arcs and colours as a system: the masthead light shows from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side (225 degrees in total), each sidelight covers the same span on its own side (112.5 degrees), and the sternlight fills the remaining 135 degrees, so together they cover the full horizon. A towing light is yellow with the same characteristics as the sternlight, and an all-round light shows over 360 degrees. On a vessel under 20 metres the sidelights may be combined in one lantern on the centreline. Visibility ranges scale with length: on a vessel under 12 metres the masthead light must be visible at 2 miles and each sidelight at 1 mile. A power-driven vessel under 7 metres with a top speed of 7 knots or less may show just an all-round white light, with sidelights if practicable. By day, a vessel under both sail and engine exhibits a cone, apex downwards, forward where it can best be seen (Rule 25).
Whistle signals: the language of blasts
Rule 32 defines a short blast as about one second and a prolonged blast as four to six seconds. Equipment scales with size under Rule 33: a whistle from 12 metres, a bell as well from 20 metres, and a gong from 100 metres, while a vessel under 12 metres may instead carry some other means of making an efficient sound signal. The manoeuvring signals in Rule 34 are pure recall marks on the Victoria test. In a narrow channel, two prolonged blasts followed by one short means 'I intend to overtake on your starboard side'; two prolonged and two short means the port side; agreement is one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, one short. At least five short and rapid blasts signals doubt about another vessel's intentions, and one prolonged blast is sounded when nearing a blind bend, answered in kind by any vessel within hearing. In restricted visibility (Rule 35), a vessel at anchor rings the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds at intervals of not more than one minute, and a vessel aground adds three separate strokes before and after that ringing.
Special vessels and lights you should not show
A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shows two all-round lights in a vertical line, white over red, adding sidelights and a sternlight when underway. A vessel constrained by her draft may show three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder by day (Rule 28). Anchor light duties ease for small craft: a vessel under 7 metres at anchor away from channels and normal navigation routes need not show anchor lights, and a vessel under 12 metres aground is excused the aground lights and shapes (Rule 30). Rule 36 limits improvisation: a signal to attract attention must not be mistakable for any authorised signal, and high intensity intermittent or revolving lights such as strobes are to be avoided.
| Light | Colour | Arc of the horizon |
|---|---|---|
| Masthead light | White | 225 degrees, right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam each side |
| Sidelight, starboard | Green | 112.5 degrees |
| Sidelight, port | Red | 112.5 degrees |
| Sternlight | White | 135 degrees |
| Towing light | Yellow | 135 degrees, same characteristics as the sternlight |
| All-round light | As prescribed for the vessel | 360 degrees |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What lights must a small powerboat show at night in Victoria?
A power-driven vessel under 12 metres may show an all-round white light and sidelights instead of the standard masthead light and sternlight, under COLREGS Rule 23 as applied on Victorian waters. If the vessel is under 7 metres and its maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots, it may show just the all-round white light, with sidelights if practicable.
When must navigation lights be switched on?
From sunset to sunrise, and also between sunrise and sunset in restricted visibility, under COLREGS Rule 20. During those hours no other lights may be shown if they could be mistaken for the prescribed lights, impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with keeping a proper look-out. The lights may also be shown at any other time when deemed necessary.
What do five short blasts of a horn mean?
Doubt. Under COLREGS Rule 34, a vessel that is unsure whether another approaching vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid collision must immediately give at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. The signal may be supplemented by at least five short and rapid flashes of light. A short blast is about one second long (Rule 32).
Which side is the green light on a boat?
Starboard. COLREGS Rule 21 defines the sidelights as a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side, each showing an unbroken light over an arc of 112.5 degrees from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its side. On a vessel under 20 metres the two may be combined in a single lantern on the centreline.
What sound signal equipment must a vessel carry?
Under COLREGS Rule 33, a vessel of 12 metres or more must carry a whistle, a vessel of 20 metres or more adds a bell, and a vessel of 100 metres or more adds a gong whose tone cannot be confused with the bell. A vessel under 12 metres that carries none of these must have some other means of making an efficient sound signal.
What signal do I sound at a blind bend in a channel?
One prolonged blast of four to six seconds, under COLREGS Rule 34. A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel where other vessels may be hidden by an intervening obstruction sounds it, and any approaching vessel within hearing around the bend answers with a prolonged blast of her own. Rule 9 also requires particular alertness and caution at such bends.
Practice questions