Question 419Navigation General

70% to pass

The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 14 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at which approximate distance will you sight the light?

A 7.5 miles
B 11.2 miles
C 14.0 miles
D 18.1 miles
AI Explanation

The correct answer is B) 11.2 miles. The formula to calculate the distance to the horizon based on the height of the light and the height of the observer's eye is: Distance to horizon (in nautical miles) = 2.08 x sqrt(height of light in feet) + 1.15 x sqrt(height of eye in feet) Plugging in the values provided: Height of light = 26 feet Height of eye = 20 feet Distance to horizon = 2.08 x sqrt(26) + 1.15 x sqrt(20) = 11.2 miles The other options are incorrect because: A) 7.5 miles is too short C) 14.0 miles is the nominal range of the light, not the distance it can be sighted D) 18.1 miles is too long based on the given heights and visibility.

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Official Resources
USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS) 33 CFR Navigation Rules USCG National Maritime Center
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