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Rule 26: Fishing Vessels (COLREGS)

Last reviewed October 21, 2026

The short answer

Rule 26 says a trawler shows all-round green over white, and a vessel fishing other than trawling shows all-round red over white. By day, both show two cones with apexes together. Both add sidelights and a sternlight when making way. A vessel not engaged in fishing shows only the lights for her length.

The rule text

the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

International Rules, U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (NAVCEN, 2024 corrected edition), Rule 26

the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

International Rules, U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (NAVCEN, 2024 corrected edition), Rule 26

when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;

International Rules, U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (NAVCEN, 2024 corrected edition), Rule 26

What it means on the water

  • Trawling: green over white, plus a masthead light abaft and higher than the green (not required under 50 meters) (Rule 26(b)).
  • Other fishing: red over white; gear out more than 150 meters horizontally adds an all-round white light or a cone apex upward toward the gear (Rule 26(c)).
  • Making way: add sidelights and sternlight (26(b)(iii), 26(c)(iii)).
  • Not fishing? Show only the lights for a vessel of her length (Rule 26(e)).
  • "Engaged in fishing" is defined in Rule 3. Trolling lines don't make it a fishing vessel for these rules.

International vs Inland

Same lights and shapes in both. International 26(d) points to Annex II for additional signals when fishing near other fishing vessels; Inland 26(d) is reserved and Inland 26(f) puts those additional signals in the rule itself.

Common exam traps

  • Swapping green and red. Green over white is trawling.
  • Forgetting that the trawler's masthead light is optional under 50 meters.
  • Giving a vessel trolling lines fishing status.

Try 3 questions on Rule 26

  1. All-round green over white means:

    1. Pilot vessel
    2. Trawling
    3. Fishing other than trawling
    4. Towing
    Show answer

    B. Trawling Rule 26(b)(i).

  2. A fishing vessel's gear extends 200 meters horizontally. What extra light shows the gear direction?

    1. All-round red
    2. All-round white
    3. Yellow flashing
    4. Sternlight
    Show answer

    B. All-round white Rule 26(c)(ii).

  3. A fishing vessel's day shape is:

    1. One ball
    2. Two cones, apexes together
    3. Cone apex down
    4. Cylinder
    Show answer

    B. Two cones, apexes together Rule 26(b)(i) and (c)(i).

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between green over white and red over white?

Green over white is trawling (Rule 26(b)); red over white is fishing other than trawling (Rule 26(c)).

Does a fishing vessel show sidelights?

Only when making way through the water (Rule 26(b)(iii) and (c)(iii)).

What lights does a fishing vessel show when not fishing?

Only those for a vessel of her length (Rule 26(e)).

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