Q. In a sailing vessel, can the side lights and stern light be combined in a lantern?
Ans. In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the side lights and stern light may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
Q. What are the characteristic lights shown by a sailing vessel? Are they mandatory?
Ans. A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the side lights and stern light, exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower Green.
Q. What is the condition of exhibiting these lights?
Ans. These lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted in lieu of side lights and stern light for the sailing vessels of less than 20m in length.

Q. In daytime, what signals must be displayed when, in addition to sails, propelling machinery is also used?
Ans. A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.
Q. In above situation, what is the status of the vessel, in respect of Rule 18, Responsibility between the vessels?
Ans. The vessel will be considered as a power driven vessel. The same is clear from the definitions given in Rule 3 as follows:
The term ‘power-driven vessel’ means any vessel propelled by machinery. The term ‘sailing vessel’ means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
Q. By night, what lights will you see, in case you see a towing vessel, from her port side with length of tow exceeding 200m and towing vessel of 55m in length?

Ans. From portside of the towing vessel, three mast head lights in a vertical line on the fore mast (indicating that the length of tow exceeds 200m) and a second mast head light on the main mast (required for a towing vessel which is of 50m or more in length). Side lights of both, towing vessel and tow will be seen too.
Q. What lights will be seen if such a towing vessel is seen from her right ahead?

Ans. Assuming that the aspect of these vessels is zero, all the four mast head lights will be seen in a vertical line. The lower three being equally spaced. Both the side lights of both the vessels will be seen.
Q. What shapes must be exhibited by the above vessel in daytime?

Ans. When the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen. A vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in paragraph (g) [an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object], shall exhibit when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Q. What lights will be exhibited when such towing vessel is seen from stern?

Ans. Stern lights and yellow towing light will be exhibited at the stern part of the towing vessel. The tow exhibits her stern light.
Q. By night, what lights will you see, in case you see a towing vessel, from her port side with length of tow exceeding 200m and towing vessel of less than 50m in length?

Ans. From portside of the towing vessel, three mast head lights in a vertical line on the (indicating that the length of tow exceeds 200m). Side lights of both, towing vessel and tow will be seen too.
Q. What lights will be seen if such a towing vessel is seen from her right ahead?

Ans. Assuming that the aspect of these vessels is zero, all the three mast head lights will be seen in a vertical line, equally spaced. Both the side lights of both the vessels will be seen.
Q. What shapes must be exhibited by the above vessel in daytime?

Ans. When the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen. A vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in paragraph (g) [an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object], shall exhibit when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Q. What lights will be exhibited when such towing vessel is seen from stern?

Ans. Stern lights and yellow towing light will be exhibited at the stern part of the towing vessel. The tow exhibits her stern light.
Q. By night, what lights will you see, in case you see a towing vessel, from her port side with length of tow not exceeding 200m and towing vessel of less than 50m in length?

Ans. From portside of the towing vessel, two mast head lights in a vertical line on the (indicating that the length of tow does not exceed 200m). Side lights of both, towing vessel and tow will be seen too.
Q. What lights will be seen if such a towing vessel is seen from her right ahead?

Ans. Assuming that the aspect of these vessels is zero, all the three mast head lights will be seen in a vertical line, equally spaced. Both the side lights of both the vessels will be seen.
Q. What lights will be exhibited when such towing vessel is seen from stern?

Ans. Stern lights and yellow towing light will be exhibited at the stern part of the towing vessel. The tow exhibits her stern light.
Q. What lights will be seen, from her port side, where some vessels are being pushed from ahead?

Ans. Rule 24(c) states, ‘A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit, shall exhibit:
(i) instead of one mast head light, two masthead lights in a vertical line.
(ii) sidelights;
(iii) a sternlight’.
24 (e) states, ‘A vessel or object being towed, shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights;
(ii) a sternlight. Since the vessels are seen from beam, two masthead lights in a line and a sidelight will be seen of towing vessel. The red side light of tow will also be seen.
Q. What lights will be seen of a vessel pushing from ahead?

We are likely to see the side lights of each vessel i.e. tow and towing vessel. We will also be able to see the two mast head lights of towing vessel.

Q. What are the lights for an inconspicuous object towed, where the breadth of object is less than 25m and length less than 100m. Tow is shorter than 200m.

Ans. Rule 24(d) provides the details. Thus, an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit, when it is less than 25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the front end and one at or near the after end. The two masthead lights in a vertical line of towing vessel with a side light of towing vessel will be seen.
Q. What are the lights for an inconspicuous object towed, where the breadth of object is less than 25m and length less than 100m. Tow is longer than 200m.

Ans. An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit, when it is less than 25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the front end and one at or near the after end. The three masthead lights in a vertical line of towing vessel (to show that the length of tow is more than 200m) with a side light of towing vessel will be seen.
Q. What are the lights for an inconspicuous object towed, where the breadth of object is more than 25m and tow is not longer than 200m.

Ans. An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit, one all-round white light at or near the front end and one at or near the after end. Since the breadth is more than 25 meters two or more additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth are shown. The two masthead lights in a vertical line of towing vessel with a side light of towing vessel will be seen.
Q. What are the lights for an inconspicuous object towed, where the breadth of object is less than 25m but length of object is more than 200m, tow is longer than 200m.
Ans. An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit, one all-round white light at or near the front end and one at or near the after end. Since object exceeds 100 meters in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed above so that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 meters. Also, because the breadth is less than 25 meters additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth need not be shown. The three masthead lights in a vertical line of towing vessel (to show that the length of tow is more than 200m) with a side light of towing vessel will be seen.

Q. What lights and shapes will be shown by a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver?
Ans. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit:
(i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond. Thus, when displaying only the red, white, red lights in a vertical line would mean that the vessel is restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway. Thus, neither at anchor nor making way.

Q. What lights and shapes will be shown by a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when at anchor?
Ans. Such a vessel, when at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in sub paragraphs (i) and (ii), i.e 3 all round lights red, white, red in vertical lights and three shapes viz ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line, the light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for an anchored vessel.
Q. What lights will be shown by a dredger, when at anchor?
Ans. when at anchor, the lights or shapes prescribed regarding obstructed side and clear side, instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30 for anchored vessel.
Thus, (i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass.

Q. Identify the following vessel.

Ans. She is a vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, restricted in her ability to maneuver, exhibiting the all round red white red lights in a vertical line. The masthead light and the sideligts indicate that the vessel is making way through water and is seen from her right ahead. Since an obstruction exists, she is also exhibiting:
(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass.
Q. What lights will be seen from her astern?

Ans, The lights will be same as above except that the stern light will be seen instead of masthead and side lights.
Q. What lights will be shown by a vessel engaged in diving operations of small size?
Ans.Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all the lights and shapes prescribed. She will show:
(i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) a rigid replica of the code flag “A” not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.

Q. What lights will be shown by a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, underway?
Ans. A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations underway or making way through water shall in addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel in Rule 23, exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1000 meters of the mineclearance vessel.

Q. What if she is at anchor?
Ans. She will exhibit in addition to the light or shape prescribed for a vessel at anchor in Rule 30: three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1000 meters of the mineclearance vessel. Similar lights to such vessel when anchor, as seen from her right ahead or stern, may be seen in case the mineclearance vessel is underway and seen from stern.

Q. What lights are shown by a vessel constrained by her draft?
Ans. A vessel constrained by her draft may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, i.e. masthead lights, side lights and a stern light exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder.

Q. Can a vessel engaged on pilotage duty be at anchor? What lights will be shown?
Ans. Yes a vessel engaged on pilotage duty can be at anchor. She shall exhibit:
(i) at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red. When at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed above the light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor.
Q. What lights are shown by a towing vessel such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course?
Ans. A power-driven vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed for towing vessel, exhibit red, white, red all round lights in a vertical line and by day ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line.
Q. What lights are displayed by an aircushion vessel in non displacement mode?
Ans. An air-cushion vessel when operating in non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.
Paragraph (a) give lights for a power-driven vessel underway as follows:
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;
except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;
(iii) sidelights and
(iv) a sternlight.
Q.What lights are shown by A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface?
Ans. A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit a high intensity all-round flashing red light.
Q. Identify the lights.

Ans. The lights shown are for vessel engaged in trawling showing all round lights and mast light, probably more than 50m not making way through water.
Q. Identify the lights.

Ans. The lights are for a vessel engaged in fishing underway or at anchor. The lights are all round lights red over white.
Q. Identify the vessel.

Ans. The vessel is a trawler making way through water probably >50m. She is making way as sidelights are seen.
Q. Identify the following vessel.

Ans. She is a power-driven vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course exhibiting the shapes viz. ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line. Length of tow does not exceed 200m.
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