Question 2 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (flashing blue light):** In many jurisdictions, particularly regarding inland waterways, a vessel operated by a law enforcement agency (such as state police, sheriff's department, or game warden) is authorized to display a rapidly intermittent or **flashing blue light** when engaged in official duties. This light is a recognized signal of a patrol or enforcement vessel and serves to draw attention to the boat's status and actions (e.g., initiating a stop, responding to an emergency). This is generally codified in state or local inland boating regulations, often supplementing or clarifying the federal Inland Rules of the Road. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **B) flashing amber light:** A flashing amber (or yellow) light is typically used to signify a dredge, a government-owned vessel, or a vessel engaged in highly restrictive operations (like submarine cable laying), or sometimes a non-emergency hazard warning. It is not the designated distinctive identification signal for law enforcement patrol boats. * **C) blue flag:** Flags are generally used for international code signaling (e.g., diver down flag, quarantine flag) or specific organizational identifiers. There is no standard rule or common practice authorizing a "blue flag" as a primary navigational or identification signal for a law enforcement vessel on inland waters. * **D) flashing red light:** A flashing red light is universally used in maritime law for vessels engaged in distress or, in some contexts, specific highly constrained operations (like certain military movements or pilot operations). Using a flashing red light to signal standard law enforcement activity would violate collision avoidance rules by confusing the vessel's intent with a distress situation.