What additional light is required on a power-driven vessel 50 meters or more in length beyond red and green sidelights, a masthead light, and a stern light?

What additional light is required on a power-driven vessel 50 meters or more in length beyond red and green sidelights, a masthead light, and a stern light?

• A. Second Masthead light
• B. Bow light
• C. Port light
• D. Beacon light

Answer: (A)

Vessels 50 meters or more in length must have an extra white light to make their size and presence more conspicuous at night. This additional light is a second masthead light, placed higher than the first masthead light so two white lights appear in a vertical line forward. The purpose is to help other vessels judge the vessel’s length and heading from a distance, reducing the chance of misjudging its speed or course. The other options aren’t the required addition: a bow light isn’t a separate standard light in this context, a port light is just the red sidelight, and a beacon light is used in specific signaling situations rather than as a general underway-light requirement for large vessels.

Vessels 50 meters or more in length must have an extra white light to make their size and presence more conspicuous at night. This additional light is a second masthead light, placed higher than the first masthead light so two white lights appear in a vertical line forward.

The purpose is to help other vessels judge the vessel’s length and heading from a distance, reducing the chance of misjudging its speed or course. The other options aren’t the required addition: a bow light isn’t a separate standard light in this context, a port light is just the red sidelight, and a beacon light is used in specific signaling situations rather than as a general underway-light requirement for large vessels.