Every week, we present you with a question about your boating license. Whether you're looking to validate your knowledge or discover new and unexplored areas. This week, we take a look at a question on ship markings.
A ball, a bicone and a ball
At the entrance to the port, this vessel shows three superimposed markings: a ball, a bicone and a ball. These markings indicate that this is a vessel with restricted maneuvering capacity, other than those involved in mine clearance operations. These markings also indicate that the vessel is over 12 m in length, as vessels under 12 m are not required to display such markings.
As this vessel does not also display an anchor ball, we can deduce that it is making headway.
In our case, it's a ship carrying out dredging operations in the Capbreton harbour and channel. However, as it does not display the two balls on the edge obstructed by its sling, nor the two cones on the free side, it is definitely not in operation at this precise moment.
And at night?
For your information, at night, this vessel must display three superimposed lights: red - white - red, visible over the entire horizon. In addition, if she's making headway, she must show her navigation lights: red and green on the sides, white at the stern, and white masthead lights.
