Question 3 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A **Why Option A ("A law enforcement vessel") is correct:** Under the Inland Navigation Rules (33 CFR Part 83), a flashing blue light is a signal reserved for and displayed by a law enforcement vessel while engaged in law enforcement duties. This light indicates the vessel's status and alerts other mariners that it is performing official police duties, often in situations where compliance with the Rules of the Road may be temporarily superseded by the demands of the law enforcement mission. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) A work boat:** Work boats typically use specific shapes or lights (such as black balls, diamond shapes, or red/white/red lights) to indicate they are "restricted in their ability to maneuver" or engaged in certain operations (like dredging), but not a flashing blue light. * **C) A vessel engaged in a race:** Vessels engaged in a race do not use a flashing blue light for identification. Racing organizations may use temporary signals or flags, but the flashing blue light is strictly defined for law enforcement purposes under the Inland Rules. * **D) A vessel transferring hazardous cargo:** Vessels handling dangerous goods or transferring hazardous cargo do not display a flashing blue light. They must comply with specific safety regulations and may display signals related to their restricted status if necessary (e.g., when anchored or restricted in maneuverability), but the blue flashing light is irrelevant to cargo type.