Question 38 AB01 - Able Seafarer

The Correct Answer is D **Explanation for D (sailing vessel):** The illustration D047RR (which typically shows a masthead light, a green sidelight, and a red sidelight) depicts the lights of a vessel seen head-on or nearly head-on at night. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) Rule 23 (Power-driven vessels underway) and Rule 25 (Sailing vessels underway): * A vessel showing only a **red sidelight** (port) and a **green sidelight** (starboard) is a vessel whose primary means of propulsion is sail (a sailing vessel). * If the vessel is under sail and is also under power, it must exhibit the lights of a power-driven vessel, plus the black cone (day signal) or the inverted cone (night signal). However, the lights shown (just red and green sidelights) distinctly represent a vessel propelled by sail alone. * **If a sailing vessel is over 20 meters in length**, it is also required to show separate red and green sidelights and a sternlight. * **If a sailing vessel is under 20 meters in length**, it may combine these lights in one lantern at or near the top of the mast (a tri-color lantern), but when viewed from dead ahead, the sidelights are still the predominant visual cue for identification. Therefore, seeing only the sidelights from a vessel underway indicates a sailing vessel. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **A) dredge at work:** A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (like a dredge) would display vertical lights (red-white-red) to indicate its restricted status, and if dredging, it would show specific lights (two vertical green lights indicating the passable side, and two vertical red lights indicating the obstructed side). The lights shown do not match this pattern. * **B) trawler dragging nets:** A vessel engaged in trawling displays two vertical lights: a green light above a white light. It must also show sidelights and a sternlight. The illustration shows only the sidelights, not the required vertical green over white lights. * **C) fishing vessel engaged in fishing:** A vessel engaged in fishing (other than trawling) displays two vertical lights: a red light over a white light. It must also show sidelights and a sternlight. The illustration shows only the sidelights, not the required vertical red over white lights.