United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

The purpose of displaying navigation lights is to:

1. Ensure the vessel is visible to others

2. Attract attention from other vessels

3. Reduce the risk of collision

4. Both ensure visibility and reduce collision risk

The correct answer is: Both ensure visibility and reduce collision risk

Displaying navigation lights is crucial for both ensuring a vessel's visibility to others and significantly reducing the risk of collision. Navigation lights are designed to indicate a vessel's position, heading, and status to other vessels in various conditions, particularly at night or in reduced visibility. When vessels display the correct navigation lights as required by maritime regulations, they provide essential information to other mariners, allowing them to ascertain the type of vessel, its direction, and any potential actions they may need to take to avoid a collision. For instance, the color and arrangement of the lights can signal whether the vessel is at anchor, underway, or engaged in fishing, among other statuses. Therefore, the dual purpose of navigation lights—ensuring visibility and aiding in collision avoidance—validates the selection of that particular answer choice. This understanding is fundamental for safe navigation and compliance with maritime rules and regulations.