🔍 Key Concepts

• Dredge status – difference between a dredge that IS engaged in dredging versus one that is simply underway and not working • Power-driven vessel lights – what lights any self-propelled vessel underway at night must show under the Navigation Rules • The meaning of "characteristic of a dredge" – special shapes and lights only when actually restricted in ability to maneuver

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: If the dredge is NOT currently dredging, is it still considered restricted in her ability to maneuver, or is it just another vessel underway? • Think about what lights are required at night for ANY self-propelled vessel making way through the water under the COLREGS/Inland Rules. • Consider whether a vessel would ever be allowed to proceed at night with no lights if it is underway and not exempted.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what Rule 23 – Power-driven vessels underway requires at night for self-propelled vessels. • Check the rules on vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver to see when the special dredge lights actually apply. • Confirm that there is no provision in the rules that allows an underway self-propelled vessel to show no lights at night.