United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

A barge longer than 50 meters must show how many white anchor lights when anchored?

1. None

2. One

3. Two

4. One, on the near approach of another vessel

The correct answer is: Two

A barge longer than 50 meters is required to display two white anchor lights when anchored. This regulation is part of the navigational rules established to ensure safety on the waterways by making large vessels more visible to other vessels in the area. Displaying two anchor lights indicates that the vessel is not only anchored but also provides a clear signal of its size and presence, which is especially important during nighttime or low visibility conditions. The requirement serves to alert other vessels to the presence of larger floating structures that may pose navigational hazards. Therefore, having two white anchor lights ensures that surrounding vessels are adequately informed of the barge's presence and its dimensions, thereby enhancing safety for all navigators in the vicinity.