Coast Guard Exams
Question 68Rules of the Road90% to pass

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are approaching a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is A) A stern light only. According to the Navigation Rules, International and Inland, when approaching a vessel from astern at night, you would expect to see the vessel's stern light. The stern light is a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern, showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right aft to 67.5 degrees from the stern on either side of the vessel. The sidelights and masthead lights would not be visible from directly astern. The other options are incorrect because: B) Sidelights only would not be visible from directly astern, C) Both sidelights and the stern light would not be the expected configuration when approaching from astern, and D) Two masthead lights are not the appropriate lights for a single vessel underway at night.

Ready to test your knowledge?