Question 295 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible. This is the correct answer because the Inland Navigation Rules (Rule 21(a)) state that if a vessel's design or construction makes it impossible to fully comply with the light placement requirements, the vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible with the rules. The regulations allow for some flexibility when strict compliance is not possible, rather than requiring the vessel to be altered or omitting required lights entirely. The other options are incorrect because B) would not meet the minimum lighting requirements, C) is not required if compliance is not possible, and D) is not specified as the appropriate alternative in this situation.