Question 24 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A Option A ("The WIG's lights must comply as closely as possible, as determined by her government.") is correct because it directly reflects the exception provided in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Annex I, Section 3(b). This section deals with lights for Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft and vessels of special construction. It states that: "The masthead light on a high-speed craft or a wing-in-ground (WIG) craft may be placed at a height related to the breadth of the craft different from that prescribed in Rule 21(a)(i). The minimum height of the masthead light should be specified by the Administration concerned." Furthermore, Rule 1(e) of COLREGs allows Administrations (governments) to certify that, due to the special construction or purpose of a vessel, it cannot comply fully with all the rules concerning lights, shapes, or sound-signalling appliances. In such cases, the lights, shapes, and sound-signalling appliances must comply as closely as possible to the rules, as determined by the vessel's government (Administration). Since WIG craft are, by their nature, vessels of special construction (often high-speed and low-profile), they are often granted this specific exemption concerning light spacing and height requirements. Option B ("An all-round light should be substituted for the after-masthead light and the stern light.") is incorrect. Substituting lights in this manner is not the prescribed remedy for non-compliance with spacing requirements for WIG craft. While an all-round light is used in specific situations (like restricted maneuvering or fishing), it is not the general solution for a WIG craft's inability to meet standard masthead light spacing rules. Option C ("The WIG must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.") is incorrect. A vessel cannot simply omit mandatory navigational lights because they cannot meet a spacing requirement. Omitting lights would prevent other vessels from correctly determining the WIG's status, course, and heading, potentially increasing the risk of collision, which is contrary to the primary purpose of COLREGs. Option D ("The WIG must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.") is incorrect. For a specialized vessel like a WIG craft, altering the vessel to achieve full compliance with standard requirements (especially those related to light height and spacing, which are dependent on the vessel's overall dimensions and function) may be impractical, prohibitively expensive, or even compromise the craft's fundamental design and ability to operate. COLREGs specifically provide the exemption (Option A) precisely because altering such specialized craft is often impossible or counterproductive.