Question 24 GLI03 - Master-LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A Option A ("The WIG's lights must comply as closely as possible, as determined by her government.") is correct because this specific situation (compliance issues for special categories of vessels, like WIG craft, regarding the placement and spacing of lights) is directly addressed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Annex I, Section 5. Annex I, Section 5, concerning the Technical Details of Lights and Shapes, states the following regarding vessels of special construction or purpose: "In a vessel of special construction or purpose, if it is impracticable to comply fully with the provisions of this Annex as to the placement and spacing of lights and shapes, these shall comply as closely as possible with those provisions as determined by the Government of the State whose flag the vessel is entitled to fly." Since a WIG craft is a high-speed vessel of potentially special construction, and the regulatory body (COLREGs) specifically allows for deviations under the condition that they comply "as closely as possible" and are approved by the flag state (her government), Option A accurately reflects the rule. Options B, C, and D are incorrect for the following reasons: **B) An all-round light should be substituted for the after-masthead light and the stern light.** Incorrect. While COLREGs allows substitution of certain lights in some specific situations (e.g., small vessels under 12 meters), there is no general provision or specific rule for WIG crafts that mandates substituting the after-masthead light and stern light with a single all-round light specifically due to spacing issues. The primary requirement is to comply as closely as possible with the existing masthead/stern light requirements. **C) The WIG must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.** Incorrect. The omission of required lights (like masthead or stern lights) would severely compromise safety and visibility and constitutes a major violation of COLREGs. Annex I allows for modified placement, not the omission of required lights. **D) The WIG must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.** Incorrect. This ignores the explicit allowance made in COLREGs for vessels of "special construction or purpose." If full compliance were always mandatory, Annex I, Section 5, would not exist. The rule recognizes that certain high-performance or specialized designs inherently make full compliance with standard dimensions (especially height and separation) structurally or operationally impractical.