If a power-driven vessel is less than 12 meters, what may it display instead of a masthead and stern light?

A power-driven vessel that is less than 12 meters in length has specific regulations under the COLREGs regarding its navigation lights. Instead of displaying a masthead light and a stern light, the vessel is permitted to display an all-round light.

The all-round light serves as a simple and effective means to indicate the presence and heading of the vessel. It provides continuous light that can be seen from all directions, fulfilling the requirement for visibility and safety without the complexity of multiple lights. By using an all-round light, smaller vessels can maintain compliance with the regulations in a straightforward manner, reducing the need for extra equipment that might not be practical given their limited size.

Options such as a white navigation light or a red signal light do not specifically align with the unique provisions for small vessels under the COLREGs. A white navigation light typically refers to specific conditions not relevant to this particular situation, while a red signal light is generally associated with specific signaling situations rather than general navigation lighting. An all-round flashing light is used in different contexts, such as indicating a vessel engaged in specific operations or as a distress signal, which is not applicable to the standard navigation lighting requirements for power-driven vessels under 12 meters.