Question 24 ONC07 - OUPV-Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A ### Why Option A is 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(b) of COLREGs specifies the lighting requirements for power-driven vessels when operating. However, Rule 23(c)(i) provides a specific exception for WIG craft: > *A Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, carry a high intensity all-round flashing red light.* More importantly, Rule 2(b) of COLREGs, which deals with responsibility, states that: > *In complying with these Rules, due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.* And specifically addressing structural constraints (like those found on high-speed craft or WIGs) that prevent full compliance with spacing or height rules for lights and shapes, **Annex I, Section 3(a)** (Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes) states: > *The lights prescribed by these Rules shall have the vertical and horizontal positionings as closely as possible to those prescribed in this Annex, as determined by the Member State concerned.* Since the structural design of a high-speed WIG craft often physically prevents it from meeting the exact height or spacing requirements for lights (such as the mandatory spacing between the foremast and after-masthead light), the governing principle is that the lights must comply **as closely as possible**, with the determination and approval being made by the craft's flag state (her government). ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **B) An all-round light should be substituted for the after-masthead light and the stern light.** This option proposes an arbitrary substitution that contradicts the specific lighting scheme required by COLREGs (Rule 23(a)) for power-driven vessels underway. While WIGs do have special additional lighting (a flashing red light), they must still carry the basic masthead and side lights unless structurally impossible, in which case they comply as closely as possible—not substitute lights entirely. **C) The WIG must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.** This is incorrect and dangerous. Omitting required navigation lights (like a second masthead light or stern light) because their mandated spacing cannot be achieved would violate the basic requirement to show navigation lights prescribed in Rule 23. The requirement is to comply *as closely as possible*, not to omit lights that cannot achieve perfect compliance. **D) The WIG must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.** This is impractical and ignores the specific exception provided in COLREGs for vessels with inherent structural limitations (Annex I, Section 3(a)). Altering the fundamental structure of a highly specialized craft like a WIG just to gain a few meters of light spacing is often technically impossible or would compromise the craft's airworthiness or purpose. COLREGs recognizes these limitations and allows for close compliance rather than mandatory structural alteration.