Question 26 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is D **Explanation for Option D (Correct):** Option D is correct because it reflects a specific provision found in the Inland Rules (33 CFR Subchapter E, specifically Rule 23(c)(ii) as applied via Annex V, Rule 3(a)) concerning the lighting requirements for power-driven vessels when operating on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Annex V provides special exemptions and modifications to the general Inland Rules. Rule 3(a) of Annex V states that a power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length may carry an **all-round white light** in lieu of the second masthead light (after masthead light) and the sternlight. This simplification is allowed because the visibility conditions and operating environments on the Great Lakes sometimes necessitate slight adjustments to the standard light configurations, especially for smaller vessels. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **A) Great Lakes vessels are exempted from the requirement to show yellow towing lights.** * This is incorrect. The requirement to show yellow towing lights (in addition to the white towing lights) is mandated by both the International and Inland Rules (Rule 24). The Great Lakes Annex V does not provide an exemption for showing the required yellow towing light (or pair of lights). * **B) Sidelights for vessels over 50 meters are required to have only a two-mile range of visibility.** * This is incorrect. Under the Inland Rules (and Annex V), vessels over 50 meters are required to have sidelights visible for a minimum of **three** miles (Rule 22(a)). The two-mile visibility minimum applies only to vessels between 12 meters and 50 meters in length. * **C) The showing of a forward masthead light is optional for vessels under 150 meters.** * This is incorrect. A forward masthead light is mandatory for all power-driven vessels (Rule 23(a)). The rule regarding optional lights pertains to the second, or after, masthead light (Rule 23(c)(ii) for vessels under 50m, which allows for the substitution addressed in correct option D), but the forward masthead light is never optional for power-driven vessels.