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Boating test topic: navigation lights

12 test-style questions with the answer and the exact rule.

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1. You are operating a power-driven vessel and see another vessel ahead or nearly ahead. At night, you see the masthead lights of the other vessel in a line and both sidelights. What should you assume?A head-on meeting situation exists and you should act accordingly. Seeing masthead lights in line and both sidelights indicates a head-on meeting situation, requiring specific avoidance maneuvers.
   33 CFR § 83.14(b): “Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.”
2. What is the required horizontal arc of visibility for a sternlight on a vessel?135 degrees. The regulation defines the sternlight's visibility arc as 135 degrees, distinct from the sidelights or all-round lights.
   33 CFR § 83.21(c): “Sternlight means 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 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.”
3. A recreational sailing vessel under 7 meters in length is underway at night. If it is not practicable to exhibit the standard prescribed lights, what alternative lighting method is permitted?Exhibit an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light. The rule allows small sailing vessels to use an all-round white light or a handheld torch/lantern if standard lights are not practicable.
   33 CFR § 83.25(d): “A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall exhibit an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.”
4. What is the minimum visibility range required for the light used to supplement whistle signals during maneuvering?2 miles. The regulation specifies that the supplementary light signal must be visible at a minimum range of 2 miles.
   33 CFR § 83.34(b): “The light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be one all-round white or yellow light, visible at a minimum range of 2 miles, synchronized with the whistle, and shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Rules (33 CFR part 84).”
5. A power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length is underway at night. What lighting configuration is permitted in lieu of the standard masthead and sidelight arrangement?An all-round white light and sidelights. The rule allows smaller vessels under 12 meters to simplify their lighting by using an all-round white light combined with sidelights instead of separate masthead lights.
   33 CFR § 83.23(d): “A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.”
6. A vessel of less than 50 meters in length is anchored. What lighting option is permitted instead of the standard anchor lights prescribed in paragraph (a)?An all-round white light where it can best be seen. Vessels under 50 meters have the option to simplify their anchor lighting to a single all-round white light.
   33 CFR § 83.30(b): “A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.”
7. What is the required flash frequency for a standard flashing light used on a vessel?120 flashes or more per minute. The definition of a flashing light in the rule specifies a minimum frequency of 120 flashes per minute, distinguishing it from the slower special flashing light.
   33 CFR § 83.21(f): “Flashing light means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.”
8. A recreational operator is navigating a vessel that is 15 meters in length at night. According to the rules, how may the sidelights be configured?They may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel. The rule permits combining sidelights into one lantern on the centerline for vessels under 20 meters, which includes a 15-meter vessel.
   33 CFR § 83.21(b): “On a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the side lights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel”
9. What is the correct lighting configuration for a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length if it chooses to use a combined lantern?The combined lantern must be carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen. The regulation states that combined lanterns for smaller vessels must be positioned at or near the top of the mast for optimal visibility.
   33 CFR § 83.25(b): “In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.”
10. Under what specific condition is a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length exempt from exhibiting anchor lights and shapes?When at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Coast Guard. The rule provides a specific exemption for small vessels anchored in designated special anchorage areas.
    33 CFR § 83.30(g): “A vessel of less than 20 meters in length, when at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Coast Guard, shall not be required to exhibit the anchor lights and shapes required by this Rule.”
11. A vessel under oars is underway at night and chooses not to exhibit the specific lights prescribed for sailing vessels. What alternative lighting requirement must the operator meet?The operator must exhibit an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light. If a vessel under oars does not use the standard sailing lights, it must still provide a white light either fixed or handheld to prevent collisions.
    33 CFR § 83.25(d): “she shall exhibit an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.”
12. When using light signals to supplement whistle signals during a maneuver, what is the required duration for each flash?About 1 second. The regulation specifies that the duration of each light flash used to supplement whistle signals must be about 1 second.
    33 CFR § 83.34(b): “The duration of each flash shall be about 1 second;”

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