BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

Module 05 - Navigation and Right-of-Way Rules

Towing Lights and Search and Rescue Navigation Lights

Search and Rescue (SAR) Vessels

Search and rescue vessels, police boats, and government vessels will display blue flashing lights when they’re responding to an emergency situation. Always slow down, keep well clear, and allow boats displaying flashing blue lights to pass you.

If you’re towing another boat:

If you’re towing another boat, you are required to display:

Sidelights and a sternlight
A yellow towing sternlight
Two masthead lights (one above the other)

If you’re being towed by another boat, you are required to display:

Sidelights and a sternlight
A diamond day shape (if the tow length is more than 200 m)
A yellow towing light, in a vertical line above the sternlight

If your boat is being pushed by another boat you are required to display:

Sidelights and sternlight
Two masthead lights (one above the other)

Fishing Vessels

Vessels engaged in fishing activities are required to display:

Two all-round lights in a vertical line (the top light must be green, and the lower light must be white) OR
A two cone day shapes pointed towards each other in a vertical line (one above the other),

A masthead light towards to stern of the boat, positioned higher than the green all-round light (for boats over 50 m in length)