Question 25 GLI01 - Master-Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation of Option B (less than 12 meters in length):** The placement of lights for vessels is governed by the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), specifically Annex I, Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes. For smaller vessels, particularly those less than 12 meters in length, there is flexibility regarding the exact placement of the masthead light (or the all-round white light that substitutes for the masthead light in some cases). According to COLREG Annex I, paragraph 3 (b), the masthead light (or all-round white light) on a vessel less than 12 meters in length may be "located off the fore and aft centerline" provided the arrangement meets the visibility sector requirements (i.e., it can be seen across the required arc of the horizon). This allowance is made due to practical constraints in fitting lighting equipment on very small boats. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **A) which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth:** This describes the standard placement requirement for sidelights to ensure they define the vessel's breadth, particularly for larger vessels. However, this rule for sidelights does not exempt the vessel from the general requirement that the masthead light must be placed on the fore and aft centerline, unless the vessel is specifically allowed flexibility due to its size (like those less than 12 meters). **C) engaged in fishing:** The rules for fishing vessels primarily specify additional lights (red over white) to indicate their activity and the direction of their nets. The placement of their basic navigational lights (masthead, sidelights, stern light) generally follows the standard placement rules based on the vessel's length. A vessel engaged in fishing would only receive the centerline exemption if it also falls under the "less than 12 meters" category. **D) less than 20 meters in length:** While vessels less than 20 meters have some lighting exemptions (e.g., combining the masthead light and stern light into an all-round white light, or combining sidelights), the specific exemption allowing the masthead light to be off the fore and aft centerline is limited to vessels **less than 12 meters** (Annex I, 3(b)). Vessels between 12 and 20 meters generally must adhere to the centerline placement for the masthead light.