Coast Guard Exams
Question 740Rules of the Road90% to pass

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading in which direction?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is D) southwest (225°). When you observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam, this indicates that the other vessel is crossing from your port side to your starboard side. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), a vessel with its red sidelight visible is traveling on a course that will cross in front of your vessel. Therefore, the other vessel must be heading in the southwest direction (225°). The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) southeast (135°) would have the vessel's green sidelight visible; B) northwest (315°) would have the vessel's green sidelight visible; and C) north (000°) would have the vessel's stern light visible.

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