USCG Exam PracticeRule 14 — Head-on Situation
By night, which combination of lights observed ahead or nearly ahead indicates that a head-on situation may exist under Inland Rule 14?
- A. A single sternlight visible dead ahead.
- ✓ Masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights.Correct
- C. One masthead light and one sidelight only.
- D. Two all-round white lights in a vertical line.
Why B is correct
33 CFR §83.14(b) states that by night a head-on situation is deemed to exist when a vessel could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights. A sternlight indicates the other vessel is moving away. One masthead light and one sidelight suggests an angled aspect, not head-on.
Cited:33 CFR §83.14