Connecticut Safe Boating Practice Test

What is required on all power-driven vessels regardless of length?

1. Masthead light

2. Sternlight

3. All-round white light

4. Navigation lights

The correct answer is: Masthead light

The requirement that applies to all power-driven vessels, regardless of their length, is the presence of navigation lights. These lights are essential for ensuring that vessels can be seen by others during periods of low visibility, such as at night or in foggy conditions. Navigation lights consist of various specific lights that serve different purposes, such as the masthead light, sidelights, and sternlight. The masthead light is particularly important as it indicates the presence of a power-driven vessel when it is underway, making it visible from a distance. In this context, while the masthead light is indeed a critical component of a vessel's navigation lights, stating that navigation lights are universally required on all power-driven vessels emphasizes the overall necessity of visibility and safety on the water. This ensures that vessels can be properly recognized by other boaters, contributing to safer navigation and reducing the risk of collisions.