Practice question

What light configuration should a fishing vessel display when operating?

  1. Two white lights
  2. One green light and one red light
  3. Two all-round white lights
  4. One white and one red light

Answer: C — Two all-round white lights

A fishing vessel that is operating should display two all-round white lights. This configuration serves various purposes based on whether the vessel is at anchor or underway. When a fishing vessel is engaged in fishing, it may also be required to display additional lights to indicate its activity clearly and ensure safe navigation. The two all-round white lights are typically positioned vertically, with one light above the other, which helps other vessels to recognize that the fishing vessel may be constrained in its ability to maneuver. This light arrangement informs other vessels of the presence of a fishing operation and delineates the vessel's status on the water. While the other options may contain elements of correct navigational lights, they do not fully comply with the requirements for fishing vessels, especially in terms of signaling their operation effectively.

Practice more: USCG Rules of the Road Practice Test →