Question 28 GLI04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C (special flashing light) is Correct Vessel "B" is maneuvering to pass safely to port (its own left side) of Vessel "A," as indicated by its position and the implied passing arrangement (likely port-to-port given the illustration's context of vessels meeting on a river, though passing arrangements can vary). However, the key identifier for Vessel B is that it is explicitly described as an **INLAND ONLY Vessel**. In U.S. Inland Rules, a power-driven vessel operating on the Western Rivers (or in certain other designated areas) when pushing ahead or towing alongside (a composite unit) is required to display a **special flashing light** (Rule 23(a)(iv) Inland). The special flashing light is an amber light (yellow) displayed above the forward masthead light. Since we are meeting this vessel head-on (or nearly head-on) on an inland waterway, the special flashing light is one of the distinct lights visible to Vessel A. ### Why the Other Options Are Incorrect **A) yellow towing light:** A yellow towing light (stern light) is displayed by a vessel engaged in towing *astern* (behind it) under International Rules, or as the second stern light for a tow exceeding 200 meters. For a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside (like typical inland river tows), the required stern light remains the white stern light, and the second towing light is the special flashing light visible forward. Furthermore, stern lights are generally visible only from astern, not when meeting a vessel nearly head-on (as Vessel A is doing). **B) red sidelight:** Sidelights (red for port, green for starboard) are only visible from the bow to 2 points abaft the beam on their respective sides. When two vessels are meeting nearly head-on and will pass 1/4 mile apart, you would primarily see both the red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights, or only the green light if Vessel A is passing to Vessel B's starboard, or only the red light if passing to Vessel B's port. While the sidelights are likely visible, the question asks for *one* of the lights, and the special flashing light is a unique and mandatory light for this specific type of Inland vessel configuration (pushing/towing alongside), making it the most targeted answer based on the "INLAND ONLY" and "meeting" context when compared to other specialized lights. More importantly, the special flashing light definitively confirms the vessel's activity and location (Inland Rules). **D) All of the above:** Since options A and B are incorrect or insufficient descriptions of the necessary mandatory lights visible from this aspect, this option is incorrect.