🔍 Key Concepts

• INLAND Rules – Vessels of special construction or purpose (vessels that physically cannot meet standard light positions or spacing) • The difference between "comply as closely as possible" and omitting required lights • Why the Rules focus on maintaining the same overall light pattern and meaning even when exact spacing is impossible

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: If a vessel truly cannot meet the exact spacing, what do the Rules want you to do to keep other vessels from being misled about your heading and size? • Which option best preserves the intent of the masthead and stern light pattern, rather than changing or removing lights? • Would the Secretary ever allow you to simply leave off required lights, or does the Rule expect you to approximate the correct arrangement?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what the Inland Rules say about vessels that "cannot comply fully" with the positioning or spacing of lights due to their special construction or purpose. • Check which choice maintains all the required lights and their basic functions (forward masthead, after masthead, stern), even if spacing is not perfect. • Eliminate any option that suggests removing required lights or making a major substitution that would change how other vessels interpret your aspect.