Which type of sailing vessels is allowed to carry combined lights in a lantern?

Sailing vessels of less than 20 meters in length are permitted to carry combined lights in a lantern. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 25, the regulations differentiate between various sizes of vessels to accommodate safety and visibility requirements.

For vessels under 20 meters, the regulations allow for more simplified lighting arrangements. This means that instead of needing to display separate lights for both the masthead and the sidelights, which can complicate the lighting setup, these smaller sailing vessels can effectively combine these lights into a single lantern. This provision aims to simplify navigation for smaller vessels while ensuring they can still be seen by other mariners.

In contrast, vessels over 20 meters are required to maintain individual lights for visibility and identification purposes, because their size and operational context demand more precise identification at greater distances. Therefore, the specific limitation on the combined light provision to vessels less than 20 meters plays a crucial role in maritime safety regulations.