For a vessel less than 20 meters in length, where should the masthead light be exhibited?

For a vessel less than 20 meters in length, the masthead light should be exhibited as far forward as is practicable. This positioning is essential for ensuring that the light provides maximum visibility to other vessels, indicating the vessel's presence and heading effectively. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) stipulate this to enhance safety at sea, as the forward placement helps other vessels to detect the smaller craft from a distance and to better understand its direction of travel.

Placing the masthead light at the bow, while logical, does not account for the optimal visibility necessary for navigational safety, hence the phrase "as far forward as is practicable" is chosen to accommodate various vessel designs and configurations while emphasizing safety. A requirement to mount it at the stern, in the middle of the vessel, or exclusively at the bow would not meet the objectives of visibility and clarity provided by the COLREGs standards, which prioritize a vessel's signal visibility to enhance collision avoidance.