A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights

A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights

• A. At any time while underway
• B. While at anchor
• C. While alongside a vessel
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Identity lights are signals that identify a vessel as actively engaged in pilotage. For a pilot vessel, these lights help other ships recognize that a pilot is on board and that the vessel is performing piloting duties, which can influence how nearby traffic should maneuver. When the vessel is underway, it must display two white lights in a vertical line that are visible in all directions, in addition to its normal navigation lights. This signal is specifically tied to movement in pilotage activities, not to being stationary. Therefore, the best answer is that these lights must be shown at any time while underway. If the vessel is at anchor or not moving, the identity lights aren’t required in that state, since anchor or hazard lights serve the appropriate signaling then.

Identity lights are signals that identify a vessel as actively engaged in pilotage. For a pilot vessel, these lights help other ships recognize that a pilot is on board and that the vessel is performing piloting duties, which can influence how nearby traffic should maneuver. When the vessel is underway, it must display two white lights in a vertical line that are visible in all directions, in addition to its normal navigation lights. This signal is specifically tied to movement in pilotage activities, not to being stationary. Therefore, the best answer is that these lights must be shown at any time while underway. If the vessel is at anchor or not moving, the identity lights aren’t required in that state, since anchor or hazard lights serve the appropriate signaling then.