Question 24 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A is correct because it directly reflects Rule 23(e) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). Rule 23, which governs the lights required for power-driven vessels underway, has a specific provision for Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft. Rule 23(e) states: "A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and while in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an efficient all-round flashing yellow light. Where the maximum vertical separation of the masthead lights is impracticable, this craft shall exhibit **those masthead lights as closely as possible to the prescribed minimum separation as determined by the administration.**" Therefore, when full compliance with the vertical spacing requirement for masthead lights is impossible due to the craft's design limitations, the WIG must exhibit the lights as closely as possible to the requirements, and this determination is sanctioned by the craft's governing authority (administration/government). **Why Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **B) An all-round light should be substituted for the after-masthead light and the stern light.** This is incorrect. While the WIG does exhibit a flashing yellow all-round light, this is *in addition* to the required masthead lights and is not a direct substitute for specific masthead or stern lights due to spacing limitations. The rule requires the masthead lights to be exhibited, even if the spacing is non-compliant. * **C) The WIG must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.** This is incorrect and potentially dangerous. COLREGs mandate specific lights for vessels underway. A vessel cannot simply omit required lights (like the after-masthead light) because it cannot meet the spacing requirements. The specific provision in Rule 23(e) requires that the non-compliant lights be fitted as closely as possible, not omitted entirely. * **D) The WIG must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.** This is incorrect. The WIG craft is recognized by COLREGs as a special type of vessel whose inherent design (required for flight near the surface) makes full compliance with certain geometric spacing rules for navigation lights physically impossible or severely impractical. Rule 23(e) exists precisely because structural alteration for full compliance is often infeasible.