What type of light should a vessel that is fishing but not trawling display?

A vessel that is fishing but not trawling is required to display a specific configuration of lights to indicate its activity clearly to other vessels. The correct choice, which involves a red light over a white light, along with another white light positioned off to the side, indicates that the vessel is engaged in fishing. The red light signifies that the vessel is not trawling, while the white light provides additional visibility and identification.

The arrangement of lights serves a vital function in maritime safety, ensuring that other vessels can recognize the fishing vessel's presence and its operational state. By displaying the red light over the white light, the fishing vessel signals its status effectively, allowing for the necessary precautions to be taken by nearby vessels to avoid potential collisions and to respect the fishing area.

This combination of lights is standard practice under the COLREGs for vessels fishing during the nighttime or in reduced visibility conditions.