Question 24 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A is correct because it directly reflects the exception provided in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) for Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft. Rule 23(c)(ii) addresses the lighting requirements for WIG craft when taking off, landing, and flying near the surface. Crucially, Rule 1(e) provides general exceptions for vessels whose construction makes full compliance with the rules impractical. Regarding the positioning and technical details of lights, Annex I, Section 5, specifies that if a WIG craft (or any vessel) cannot comply with the horizontal spacing requirements for masthead lights due to its specialized nature, the craft must carry those lights "as closely as possible to the prescribed position" as determined by the appropriate authority (the government of the State whose flag the vessel is entitled to fly). Therefore, the requirement is to comply as closely as possible, based on government determination. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **B) An all-round light should be substituted for the after-masthead light and the stern light.** This is incorrect. While COLREGs permit substitutions for certain lights in specific situations (like some fishing vessels or vessels constrained by their draft), there is no provision in Annex I or Rule 23 requiring or allowing this specific substitution (all-round light for after-masthead and stern light) solely because of spacing difficulties on a WIG craft. WIG crafts must still show the prescribed navigation lights for a power-driven vessel unless an explicit exception applies, which focuses on repositioning, not replacing, the masthead lights when spacing is the issue. * **C) The WIG must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.** This is incorrect and dangerous. A WIG craft is a power-driven vessel and must carry all required lights (masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light) to indicate its status and size. Omission of required lights is a serious violation of COLREGs and compromises safety. The rule requires repositioning the lights as closely as possible, not omitting them. * **D) The WIG must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.** This is incorrect. Rule 1(e) and Annex I, Section 5, recognize that for vessels of special construction (like WIG crafts or warships), altering the vessel to comply with stringent spacing rules may be impossible or impractical, often defeating the purpose of the craft's design. The rule provides the "as closely as possible" exception precisely because alterations are not always feasible or required.