Virginia Law

A. A vessel engaged in fishing with nets, trawls or other fishing apparatus that restricts maneuverability (as defined in 4VAC15-420-20), whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this section. A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

1. Two all-round lights in a vertical line, 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;

2. A masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 164 feet (50 meters) in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so; and

3. When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this section, sidelights and a sternlight.

B. A vessel engaged in fishing with nets, trawls or other fish apparatus that restricts maneuverability, other than trawling, shall exhibit:

1. Two all-round lights in a vertical line, 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;

2. When there is outlying gear extending more than 492.1 feet (150 meters) horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upward in the direction of the gear; and

3. When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this section, sidelights and a sternlight.

C. Vessels engaged in fishing with nets, trawls or other fish apparatus that restricts maneuverability in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing may exhibit the additional signals established by the U.S. Coast Guard.

D. A vessel when not engaged in fishing with nets, trawls or other fish apparatus that restricts maneuverability shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this rule but only those prescribed for a vessel of its length.