🔍 Key Concepts

• Navigation Rules – Lights and Shapes (Part C), especially rules on when sidelights may be shown or must be extinguished • The specific definitions of vessel not under command, vessel engaged in fishing, and sailing vessel in the Navigation Rules • When a vessel is making way versus simply underway but not making way and how that affects required running lights

💭 Think About

• For each choice, ask: does this vessel type ever show normal running lights (masthead, sidelights, sternlight), and if so, under what conditions might some be turned off? • Think about which special-status vessel must display distinctive red lights that would be confused or hidden if normal sidelights stayed on • Consider whether being becalmed or not making way automatically changes the light requirements, or if the vessel is still treated the same as underway for lights

✅ Before You Answer

• Check in the Lights and Shapes rules which category of vessel is explicitly told to not exhibit sidelights in order to avoid confusing their special lights • Verify the difference between a vessel not under command and a vessel engaged in fishing – which one has a rule about sidelights being shown only when making way, and which one may need sidelights off entirely • Confirm whether a sailing vessel becalmed has any special exemption in the Rules for sidelights (look carefully – don’t assume)