Which COLREGs rule governs the use of lights and shapes at night and in restricted visibility?

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The use of lights and shapes at night and in restricted visibility is governed by the lamps and shapes rule. This rule specifies what navigation lights you must display to indicate your vessel’s type and status (for example, power-driven versus sailing) and when day shapes must be shown to convey not under command, restricted visibility, or other conditions. It applies specifically to night operations and to situations where visibility is reduced, ensuring other vessels can accurately interpret your position and intentions through standardized signals. In restricted visibility, these lighting requirements remain the primary means of signaling, with sound signals used as needed to accompany them. Other rules focus on how vessels should behave in crossing, head-on, or overtaking scenarios, or on different kinds of signals, but they don’t establish the lighting and day-shape requirements themselves.