Question 54 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C ("26 feet") is Correct The requirement for carrying specific safety equipment on uninspected vessels is largely determined by the vessel's length, generally following U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations (often found in 46 CFR). For uninspected vessels, if the vessel length is **over 26 feet**, it must have at least one approved ring life buoy (a Type IV PFD) on board. This distinction separates vessels that can legally carry a throwable buoyant cushion (often acceptable between 16 and 26 feet) from those required to carry the more robust ring life buoy. ### Why the Other Options are Incorrect * **A) 6 feet:** This length is far too small. Vessels under 16 feet have minimal requirements, generally limited to required wearable personal flotation devices (PFDs) for everyone on board. There is no requirement for a ring life buoy at this small size. * **B) 16 feet:** Vessels 16 feet in length and over are required to carry a Type IV throwable flotation device. However, at the 16-foot mark, this device can typically be a buoyant cushion. The regulations usually trigger the requirement specifically for an **approved ring life buoy** at the 26-foot mark, especially in contexts covering uninspected passenger vessels or certain commercial fishing vessels. * **D) 36 feet:** While a vessel of 36 feet would definitely be required to carry the ring life buoy, 36 feet is not the minimum length that triggers the requirement. The threshold length (the size *over* which the rule applies) is 26 feet.