Question 30 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for Option C (sailing vessel) being correct:** The illustration D080RR (or similar illustrations representing this specific lighting configuration) shows a vessel displaying only **sidelights** (a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side). According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), Rule 25 (Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars): 1. **A sailing vessel underway** is required to exhibit sidelights and a sternlight. 2. However, a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length may combine these lights in one single lantern carried at or near the top of the mast (tri-color lantern). 3. If the vessel is only showing **sidelights** (and presumably a stern light is also present but not visible from the illustrated angle, or the rule regarding combination lights applies), it indicates a vessel that is either a standard sailing vessel underway or a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots (Rule 23(d)). Given the standard options presented in maritime licensing questions when only sidelights are visible and no masthead light is shown, the primary interpretation is a **sailing vessel** which is not required to show a masthead light. The absence of a masthead light (white light above the sidelights) conclusively eliminates the vessel being power-driven under normal circumstances. **Brief explanation of why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) vessel on pilotage duty:** A pilot vessel underway must display a masthead light (white) and a sidelight, *plus* two all-round lights in a vertical line: white above red (Rule 29). The illustration lacks these required all-round lights. * **B) law enforcement vessel:** While law enforcement vessels often display special flashing blue lights, they are fundamentally power-driven vessels and must display the lights required for a power-driven vessel underway (masthead light, sidelights, sternlight - Rule 23). The illustration lacks the required masthead light. * **D) vessel engaged in fishing:** A vessel engaged in fishing must display two all-round lights in a vertical line: red over white (Rule 26). The illustration lacks these required all-round lights.