Question 25 UFV01 - Master - Uninspected Fishing Vessels

The Correct Answer is B. ### Explanation for Option B (Correct) Option B, "less than 12 meters in length," is correct because international and national navigation rules (specifically the Inland Rules and COLREGS, Rule 23 regarding power-driven vessels underway, read in conjunction with the annexes, particularly Annex I, Section 3 - Position and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes) provide specific relaxations for smaller vessels. For power-driven vessels less than 12 meters in length, the rules allow for significant flexibility in the positioning of lights when compared to larger vessels. Specifically, the masthead light is not strictly required to be on the fore and aft centerline if it is impractical to install it there, provided the positioning otherwise meets the rules' requirements for height and visibility. This practical allowance is designed to accommodate the limited space and design constraints of very small boats. ### Explanation of Incorrect Options **A) which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth:** While the location of sidelights affects the vessel's maximum breadth, the masthead light location requirement is independent of the sidelight positioning. The general rule still requires the masthead light to be near the fore and aft centerline unless a specific length exemption (like the one in option B) applies. **C) engaged in fishing:** A vessel engaged in fishing displays specific lights and shapes (Rule 26), but its operational status does not automatically grant an exemption for the positioning of the masthead light (the required white running light). Unless the fishing vessel is also less than 12 meters in length (Option B), it must comply with the standard placement requirements for its masthead light. **D) less than 20 meters in length:** While vessels less than 20 meters receive some relaxations regarding light placement compared to vessels 50 meters or longer, the primary relaxation that allows the masthead light to be positioned *other than* on the fore and aft centerline due to practicality is specifically granted to vessels **less than 12 meters** in length (Rule 23 and Annex I). Vessels between 12 and 20 meters must generally adhere to the centerline requirement.