Question 1

What does a single black ball displayed forward on a vessel by day mean?

Accepted Answer

The vessel is at anchor. ONE BLACK BALL (forward, where best seen, by day) = VESSEL AT ANCHOR (Rule 30(a)). Vessels 50m or more at anchor must also display a second ball at or near the stern. At night: anchor lights replace the ball. If you see a black ball on a vessel in an anchorage area, give her space, she is anchored. Note: vessels under 7m at anchor in a remote location are exempt from showing the ball (Rule 30(e)).

Question 2

A vessel displays a diamond shape. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

She is part of a towing operation where the length of tow exceeds 200 metres.. A single diamond shape indicates a towing operation where the length of tow exceeds 200 metres, measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow. Rule 24(a)(v) requires the towing vessel to display a diamond where it can best be seen, and Rule 24(e)(iii) requires a diamond on the vessel or object being towed. A diamond also forms part of the vertical ball-diamond-ball signal prescribed by Rule 27(b)(ii) for vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, except vessels engaged in mineclearance operations. That signal is not specific to diving or underwater operations.

Question 3

A black cone, apex downward, displayed forward on a sailing vessel, what does it indicate?

Accepted Answer

The vessel is proceeding under sail and machinery together, and must therefore be treated as a power-driven vessel.. BLACK CONE apex downward (forward, where best seen): a sailing vessel when ALSO using her engine (motoring under sail, motor-sailing). She must be treated as a POWER-DRIVEN VESSEL under the COLREGS, she loses her sailing vessel privilege. At night: she must show power-driven vessel lights (masthead light, sidelights, sternlight) not sailing vessel lights. The cone warns other vessels that she is not a pure sailing vessel.

Shapes, questions and explanations

What does a single black ball displayed forward on a vessel by day mean?

A vessel displays a diamond shape. What does this indicate?

A black cone, apex downward, displayed forward on a sailing vessel, what does it indicate?

Practise this properly

Shapes, questions and explanations

Questions

What does a single black ball displayed forward on a vessel by day mean?

A vessel displays a diamond shape. What does this indicate?

A black cone, apex downward, displayed forward on a sailing vessel, what does it indicate?

Practise this properly