Virginia Law

A. A vessel not under command shall exhibit:

1. Two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen;

2. Two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; and

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

B. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver shall exhibit:

1. Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;

2. Three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond;

3. When making way through the water, masthead lights, sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed in subdivision 1 of this subsection; and

4. When at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, the light, lights or shapes prescribed in 4VAC15-420-100.

C. A vessel engaged in a towing operation that severely restricts the towing vessel and its tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subdivisions B 1 and B 2 of this section, exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in 4VAC15-420-50.

D. A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in its ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in subdivisions B 1, B 2, and B 3 of this section and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit:

1. Two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;

2. Two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass; and

3. When at anchor, the lights or shape prescribed by this section, instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in 4VAC15-420-100 for anchored vessels.

E. Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in subsection D of this section, the following shall instead be exhibited:

1. Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white.

2. A rigid replica of the international code flag "A" not less than 3.3 feet (1 meter) in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.

F. A vessel of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length, except when engaged in diving operations, is not required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this section.