Question 768 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so. The reasoning is that the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) provide an exception for vessels not normally engaged in towing operations when towing a vessel in distress. In this case, the vessel is not required to display the normal towing lights if it is impractical to do so, such as if the vessel is not equipped with the necessary lights. The other options are incorrect because A) is only applicable to a vessel not under command, B) requires the normal towing lights to be displayed, and D) is not a lighting requirement for vessels engaged in towing.