# ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes — for Boating and Sailing

> Marine navigation lights and shapes reference and quiz tool. (iPhone/iPad app by The Other Hat.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-nav-lights-and-shapes/id485271634 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Other Hat](https://appshunter.io/developer/573973071)
- Category: Education, Navigation
- Price: $3.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 20 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-12-21
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-nav-lights-and-shapes/id485271634/reviews.md

## What is ColRegs?

ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes helps sailors, powerboaters, anglers, skippers, crew and maritime professionals recognise vessels and understand what they are doing, as specified by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS/ColRegs).

Learn to identify vessels, understand their activities and interpret navigation lights and day shapes with this essential ColRegs reference and revision app.

QUICK, PRACTICAL REFERENCE
Whether you are on the water or ashore, studying in daylight or identifying a vessel in darkness or poor visibility, the app helps you find the relevant illustration, rule and definition in seconds.
	• Quick-reference and revision tool
	• Search across ColRegs, navigation lights, day shapes and study content
	• Improve your recognition of vessels at night and by day
	• Supports sailing, boating and maritime training courses
	• Learn using more than 100 custom-made illustrations
	• Supports classroom instruction and independent study
	• Test your recall through interactive quizzes
	• Visual aide-mémoire when out on the water
	• Use core reference content without internet connection
	
>>> FULL APP — AD FREE | NO IN-APP PURCHASES | NO SUBSCRIPTION

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION
This major update makes ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes clearer, faster and easier to use.
	• Save Favourites
	• Reorder Favourites
	• Continue from last page viewed
	• Detailed search results
	• Expand full rule only when you need it
	• New gallery-style viewer
	• Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
	• Share the app with friends
	
WHAT’S INCLUDED
	1. NAVIGATION LIGHTS
Study detailed illustrations and descriptions of the lights displayed by different vessels at night or in restricted visibility.
Learn to recognise vessel types, their aspect and the activities in which they may be engaged.

	2. DAY SHAPES
Explore clear illustrations and descriptions of the shapes displayed by vessels during daylight.
Use these visual references to identify vessel status and activity more confidently.

	3. TEST YOURSELF
Check your knowledge using three quizzes featuring multiple combinations of navigation lights and day shapes.
Also access an extended selection of online Safe Skipper boating quizzes.

	4. COLREGS
Consult Part C: Lights and Shapes, Rules 20–31 of the ColRegs, reproduced in full for detailed reference and revision.

DESIGNED FOR REFERENCE, LEARNING AND REVISION
A sound understanding of the ColRegs is essential for everyone who goes to sea in sailing or powered craft. Candidates preparing for Day Skipper, Boatmaster or Yachtmaster assessments can use the app to reinforce their knowledge and practise identifying vessels quickly.

ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes:
	
Researched and produced with accuracy and practical learning in mind. Its clear visual approach makes complex combinations of lights and shapes easier to understand and remember.

ENDORSED BY THE SAILING AND BOATING COMMUNITY

>>> Used by thousands of seafarers across Great Britain, the USA, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand and more than 50 other countries.

“Very easy to use, wish I’d had this when I was doing Day Skipper!”
“We run a training centre and these apps are a great aide-mémoire for our students.”
“I have just downloaded and am using ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes app, a brilliant training and reference device.”
“I really like the ColRegs part of it and the way you have kept it completely in line with the IRPCS.”
“Beautifully produced and very simple to use, a cool learning tool.”
“Good app for anyone to use, especially when you are training for Boatmaster, Yachtmaster etc. Much easier than flip cards.”

OTHER APPS IN THIS SERIES
	• ColRegs: Rules of the Road covers the Steering and Sailing Rules and Sound and Light Signals sections of the IRPCS.
	• IALA Buoys & Lights covers both IALA Maritime Buoyage Systems A and B.
Improve your knowledge, test your recognition skills and keep essential ColRegs information close at hand with Nav Lights & Shapes.

## Key features

- Quick reference for ColRegs
- Over 100 custom graphics
- Nav Lights section
- Day Shapes section
- Interactive quiz
- Offline access

## Recent user reviews (10 of 28)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-nav-lights-and-shapes/id485271634/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Does not work well on iPads

*2026-06-28*

Many issues with this app if using Apple phones or tablets.

### 1/5 — Disappointing.

*2025-03-27*

Don’t bother buying this. Waste of money. None of the online quizzes actually work. There’s reviews 5+ years old saying the same thing so they’ve clearly not upgraded anything

### 1/5 — Not the one

*2023-12-29*

Keep looking, not a user friendly interface, not a great learning tool. 
Not worth the money, buyer’s remorse. 
I got the 3 app bundle and all 3 have the same terrible format.

### 4/5 — Great learning app.

*2022-03-15*

Nicely done easy to follow and the test is great too. Would be great to see the day cones on the same page as the night lights (and vice verse)  The Red colour in the “rules ” hi lights  is also impossible to read on a blue background. Maybe keep them black type but put in bold. Thanks. Great learning app.

### 3/5 — Has Potential

*2022-03-08*

Has a lot of potential to be a great app. As of this review, the application is rules 1-4, 20-31 of Navigation Rules and Regulations, and a short quiz. You can buy the whole book for $9.50 on Amazon (rules 1-38, Annex’s, and 50 pages of additional information).

The book only has pictures in black and white, so the examples in the book are not very useful. I purchased this app hoping there would be colored pictures

If the developers of this app provide colored examples I would recommend this app to others. Unfortunately, there are NO pictures. If the app ever adds pictures examples of the lights in color, it will be worth it.

### 1/5 — Has Errors

*2021-07-10*

I found at least one error in one of the test questions. I don't want to use an app that is going to sabotage me. Test Yourself Q7, the correct answer should be "NOT making way NUC" but "Making way NUC" is listed as the correct answer.  Not reliable.

### 1/5 — Shocking

*2021-04-28*

Absolute waste of money! Thought it was worth a go but it’s poorly made and definitely not optimised for I'd. Tests are ok but these are the same as the free online ones available. I read the bad reviews and still purchased the app... Don't make the same mistake

### 1/5 — Not quite there

*2020-04-16*

Low on content with only 55 questions, and at least 3 incorrect answers. One of those App Store purchased I wish I hadn’t made.

### 5/5 — Great - wish I’d found this before

*2019-05-01*

Comprehensive info on navlights and day shapes with a really useful test section. Covers a lot, and has very clear diagrams of how the lights will look, as well as the written official regs. A good purchase.

### 2/5 — Okay - no variety in tests

*2019-03-07*

Tests and questions do not vary which makes the educational side of things quite poor.

## Frequently asked questions about ColRegs

### What is ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes used for?

ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes is a learning and revision tool for seafarers. It helps users identify vessels and their activities at sea based on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs), specifically Part C: Lights and Shapes.

### Does ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes require an internet connection?

No, this application does not require an internet connection, making it accessible for quick reference while out on the water or on shore.

### What content is included in ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes?

The app includes sections on Nav Lights with graphics and descriptions, Day Shapes with graphics and descriptions, a 'Test Yourself' quiz section, and the full ColRegs rules. It covers over 100 custom-made graphics.

### How accurate is the information in ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes?

The app's content has been researched and produced by nautical and marine experts for accuracy and has been positively evaluated by professional pilots for reliability.

### What is the price of ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes?

ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes is a paid app priced at $3.99.

### What devices is ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes compatible with?

The app is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes updated?

The latest version, 8.2, was released on April 12, 2019. While the last update was in 2019, the app's core content is based on established regulations.

### What is the age rating for ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes?

The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in marine education.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 10.0.1 — 2026-08-11

This major update makes ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes clearer, faster and easier to use.
	• Save Favourites
	• Reorder Favourites
	• Continue from last page viewed
	• Detailed search results
	• Expand full rule only when you need it
	• New gallery-style viewer
	• Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
	• Share the app with friends
	• Updated promotional screengrabs

### 10.0.0 — 2026-08-03

This major update makes ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes clearer, faster and easier to use.
	• Save Favourites
	• Reorder Favourites
	• Continue from last page viewed
	• Detailed search results
	• Expand full rule only when you need it
	• New gallery-style viewer
	• Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
	• Share the app with friends

### 8.2 — 2019-04-12

New detailed hi-res graphics.

### 7.0 — 2015-08-31

Updated for the latest devices, including new image pinch & zoom, improved Quiz section with more questions, better styling and lots of other small tweaks for better performance. Thank you to everyone who has made suggestions on how to make the app even better than before!

### 1.3 — 2012-06-25

New look interface. Additional quiz questions to test you more. Now also available for iPad.

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## More apps by The Other Hat

- [ColRegs: Rules of the Road](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-rules-of-the-road/id494839562)
- [IALA Buoyage & Lights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iala-buoyage-and-lights/id503124780)
- [Growing Organic Vegetables](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/growing-organic-vegetables/id591810446)
- [Grow Your Own Organic Herbs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grow-your-own-organic-herbs/id595959143)
- [Safe Skipper: Boating Safety](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-skipper-boating-safety/id625297113)

All apps by The Other Hat: https://appshunter.io/developer/573973071

## Related topics

[simple colregs](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/simple-colregs)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*
