Question 44 RVR03 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (less than 12 meters in length) being correct:** The regulations (specifically the Inland Rules, which mirror COLREGS Rule 23(d) and Annex I, Section 3(b)) recognize that installing lights exactly on the fore and aft centerline can be impractical or impossible on very small vessels. Therefore, for power-driven vessels **less than 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length**, the masthead light (or all-round white light, which serves as the masthead light for this size category) may be offset from the fore and aft centerline if it is not practical to place it on the centerline, provided that the light is still properly positioned relative to the lateral extremities of the vessel. **Explanation of why other options are incorrect:** * **B) which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth:** While placing sidelights on the outboard extremes is common and sometimes required, the positioning of the masthead light (fore and aft) is independent of the positioning of the sidelights (lateral). This characteristic does not grant permission to offset the masthead light from the centerline. * **C) engaged in fishing:** Vessels engaged in fishing must display specific fishing lights (two all-round lights, red over white), and they must also display the standard masthead light when making way, unless they are less than 20 meters. However, their operational status (fishing) does not automatically exempt them from the centerline requirement for the masthead light, unless they also fall under the size exemption (less than 12 meters). * **D) less than 20 meters in length:** The rule allowing the offset of the masthead light due to practicality is specifically limited to vessels **less than 12 meters** in length. Vessels between 12 meters and 20 meters must still adhere to the general requirement of placing the masthead light on the fore and aft centerline.