Question 32 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A. ### Why Option A ("not under command") is Correct: The illustration D084RR shows a vessel exhibiting two all-round red lights displayed vertically. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 27(b), a vessel that is **not under command (NUC)** shall exhibit: 1. Two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. 2. When making way through the water, masthead lights, sidelights, and a sternlight. 3. When stopped, only the two all-round red lights (and potentially sidelights and a sternlight if she is less than 50 meters long and not required to show the masthead light). The core identifying signal for a vessel NUC is the vertical alignment of **two all-round red lights**. Therefore, the vessel in the illustration is exhibiting the lights for a vessel not under command. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: * **B) showing improper lights:** The lights shown (two vertical all-round red lights) are prescribed lights for a specific regulated condition (NUC). They are proper lights, not improper lights, assuming the vessel is genuinely unable to maneuver. * **C) dredging:** A vessel engaged in dredging (or underwater operations) exhibits different lights. She shows three all-round lights in a vertical line: Red-White-Red (Rule 27(d)). * **D) towing:** A vessel engaged in towing shows specific lights depending on the length of the tow. Generally, this involves two or three masthead lights in a vertical line (instead of the usual one), and a yellow towing light above the sternlight (Rule 24). It does not use two vertical all-round red lights as its primary identifying characteristic.