Rules of the Road Memory Aides

Nautical Mnemonics

The following rules of the road memory aides come at the request of a boatsafe.com reader from Israel. Thanks for the request Yuval!

The following table gives neumonics for several lighting configurations. You might also want to memorize the poem below. I have no idea where I got this or who the author might be, however, I hope that he or she does not mind sharing it.

The Rule of the Road

When all three lights I see ahead,
I turn to Starboard and show my Red:
Green to Green, Red to Red,
Perfect Safety -- Go Ahead.

But if to Starboard Red appear,
It is my duty to keep clear --
To act as judgment says is proper:
To Port or Starboard, Back or Stop her.

And if upon my Port is seen
A Steamer's Starboard light of Green,
I hold my course and watch to see
That Green to Port keeps Clear of me.

Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good look out.
In Danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, Stop her, Go Astern.

Neumonics For Light Identification		Day shape
RED WHITE RED	Red, White, Red Restricted Ability Ahead
RED RED	Red over Red The Captain Is Dead Vessel not under command
RED RED RED	Three Reds in a Row No Room Below Constrained by draft - (International only)
RED WHITE	Red Over White Fishing at night
RED GREEN	Red Over Green Sailing Machine
WHITE RED	White Over Red Pilot Ahead
YELLOW YELLOW	Yellow Over Yellow A pushing or Hip Towing Fellow (Inland only)
GREEN WHITE	Green Over White Trawling at Night
YELLOW WHITE	Yellow Over White My Towline is Tight Dayshape is shown when tow exceeds 200 meters
GREEN GREEN- GREEN	Three Greens in a Cross Mineclearing Boss
GREEN to GREEN, RED to RED - Perfect Safety Go Ahead
Related Articles: Lights and Dayshapes Dayshapes - what they mean Also see the Basic Boating Safety Course

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