When is a fishing vessel required to show sidelights and a stern light?

A fishing vessel is required to show sidelights and a stern light when it is underway and making way. This requirement aligns with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which specify that vessels must display specific navigation lights to indicate their position and activity when they are moving.

When a fishing vessel is underway and making way, it is actively navigating and must use its sidelights and stern light to ensure visibility to other vessels. The sidelights help other vessels determine the direction the fishing vessel is traveling, while the stern light indicates its position from the rear. This visibility is crucial for collision avoidance, especially in busy waterways.

In contrast, a fishing vessel that is anchored does not need to show sidelights or a stern light but instead is required to display an anchor light. Similarly, the requirement does not specifically apply to the vessel at night only, as the lighting rules are based on the vessel's operational status rather than the time of day. Furthermore, while fishing vessels may need to show different lights based on their activity, the general rule for being underway and making way mandates the use of sidelights and a stern light for safety and navigational awareness.