Coast Guard Exams

Question 29

ONC01

INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

AI Explanation
The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (2) being correct:** This question refers specifically to U.S. Inland Rules (U.S. 33 CFR Subchapter E - Inland Navigation Rules). Rule 30(a) (Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground) governs anchor lights. It states that a vessel at anchor shall exhibit forward: an all-round white light or one ball; and at or near the stern and at a level lower than the forward light: an all-round white light. However, Rule 30(b) addresses vessels **100 meters or more in length**. It states that such vessels shall exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 30(a) **and, in addition**, shall use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate their decks. Rule 30(c) applies to vessels **less than 50 meters** in length and allows them to exhibit only one all-round white light. The vessel in question is **"more than 50 meters long"** but is **not** specified as being 100 meters or more. Therefore, it falls under the general requirement established in Rule 30(a): one forward anchor light and one after anchor light, for a total of **two** white anchor lights. The designation "special anchorage area" affects where they may anchor, but it does not change the lighting requirements based on their length (50m+). **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option B (1):** One anchor light is only permissible for vessels **less than 50 meters** in length (Rule 30(c)). Since the barge is "more than 50 meters long," it must show two lights. * **Option C (3):** Three white anchor lights are not a standard requirement based solely on length for an anchored vessel under Inland Rules. Vessels 100 meters or more must show the two anchor lights plus deck lighting, but not a third anchor light. * **Option D (None):** A vessel over 50 meters must display anchor lights under Inland Rules, even if anchored within a "special anchorage area." (Vessels under 20 meters anchored in a special anchorage area are often exempt from exhibiting anchor lights, but the vessel here is over 50 meters.)