What color is a 'special flashing light'?

A 'special flashing light' is designated as yellow under the COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) guidelines. This type of light is used primarily to signal specific situations or conditions, typically on vessels that may be engaged in particular operations or services, such as fishing, salvage, or certain types of maintenance activities.

The use of yellow is crucial for ensuring visibility and safety in maritime operations, as it helps to distinguish these vessels from others that may use different colored lights for navigation or signaling purposes. Yellow flashing lights assist in conveying important information to other vessels, essentially indicating that the vessel with the special flashing light is operating under specific conditions that require attention from nearby mariners.

Understanding the purpose and meaning of different colored lights in maritime communication is vital for maintaining safety at sea, as it allows for proper identification of a vessel's intentions and operational status.