Question 30

The Correct Answer is C **Why option C ("sailing vessel") is correct:** Illustration D080RR shows a combination of lights: a **red sidelight** (port side), a **green sidelight** (starboard side), and a **sternlight** (white light showing 135 degrees aft). This configuration (sidelights and a sternlight) is the required lighting arrangement for a vessel underway. When observed from a specific angle (likely dead ahead or nearly so, as both sidelights are visible), seeing *only* these three lights, without any masthead lights, range lights, or specific identifying colored lights (like red-over-white for fishing, white-over-red for pilotage, or blue flashing lights for law enforcement), indicates a vessel of conventional size that is **underway but not power-driven**. A sailing vessel when underway is required to show sidelights and a sternlight. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) vessel on pilotage duty:** A vessel engaged in pilotage duty must display two all-round lights in a vertical line: **white over red** (W-R). Since Illustration D080RR does not show these two mandatory all-round lights, the vessel is not on pilotage duty. * **B) law enforcement vessel:** While law enforcement vessels often show the standard running lights (sidelights/sternlight), their identifying characteristic, particularly in the US Inland Rules, is often a distinct **flashing blue light**. This blue light is not present in the illustration, making B incorrect as the definitive identification. * **D) vessel engaged in fishing:** A vessel engaged in fishing (other than trolling) must display two all-round lights in a vertical line: **red over white** (R-W). Since Illustration D080RR does not show these two mandatory all-round lights, the vessel is not engaged in fishing.