Question 30

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C is Correct: The question specifically asks about **INLAND ONLY** rules regarding the location of the masthead light (which is the forward-most or single white light showing an arc of 225 degrees). The U.S. Inland Navigation Rules (specifically 33 CFR Part 83, Annex I, Section 3(a)) provide specific exemptions for vessels of certain sizes. For vessels **less than 12 meters in length**, the rule states that the masthead light, or all-round white light, **may be placed off the fore and aft centerline** if it is impracticable to place it on the centerline, provided the masthead light is located where the centerline of the vessel lies in the center of the arc of visibility. This exemption allows small vessels, often constrained by design or limited space (e.g., small fishing boats or pleasure craft), to position the light slightly off-center. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: **A) less than 20 meters in length:** While vessels less than 20 meters have various structural exemptions (like reduced masthead height), the specific rule permitting the masthead light to be located off the fore and aft centerline is limited to vessels **less than 12 meters** in length (Inland Annex I, Section 3(a)). **B) which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth:** This describes a condition related to sidelights (Annex I, Section 2(e)), not the masthead light. The location of the sidelights at the vessel's maximum breadth does not grant permission to move the masthead light off the centerline. **D) engaged in fishing:** Vessels engaged in fishing must still comply with the general rules for light placement, including the centerline requirement for the masthead light (when required). Although fishing vessels often fall into the less than 12-meter category and thus benefit from exemption C, being "engaged in fishing" itself is not the criterion that allows the light to be placed off-center; the criterion is the vessel's length (less than 12 meters).