Which four vessel types are described as turning off side, stern lights, and if required masthead lights when underway and not making way?

• A. Fishing; trawling; NUC; RAM
• B. Fishing; crossing; NUC; RAM
• C. Trawling; NUC; RAM; Sailing
• D. Fishing; Trawling; Sailing; RAM

Answer: (A)

In COLREGS, some vessels have lighter or modified light requirements when they’re underway but not making way, so other boats aren’t misled by the normal running lights during slow or halted operations. This is especially true for vessels whose activities or status could be mistaken for a vessel on the move, or that operate in ways that make full running lights impractical or confusing.

The four vessel types described as allowed to turn off side and stern lights (and masthead lights if required) under this condition are fishing vessels (including those engaged in trawling) and vessels not under command (NUC) or restricted in their ability to maneuver (RAM). For these kinds of vessels, the rules recognize that the standard running lights can be misleading or unnecessary when they’re underway but not making way, so permissible signaling focuses on the status they actually have rather than a full set of navigation lights.

Other options mix scenarios or vessel types that don’t carry this specific exemption, so they aren’t the best fit for describing this particular lighting relaxation. In short, the correct grouping reflects fishing-related operations plus the two categories (NUC and RAM) that have distinct signaling needs when not making way.