United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

A vessel of less than 20 meters in length shall display two cones, apexes together as a day shape when engaged in what activity?

1. Trawling

2. Diving operations

3. Trolling

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Trawling

A vessel of less than 20 meters in length displays two cones, apexes together as a day shape when engaged in trawling operations. This day shape is specifically used to indicate to other vessels that the fishing gear is deployed and it is actively engaged in fishing. The appearance of the two cones signals to nearby vessels to maintain a safe distance to avoid interference with the fishing activities. While diving operations and trolling also have their own respective day shapes, they do not involve this specific signaling. Diving operations typically utilize a single alpha flag or a flashing light to indicate that divers are in the water, while trolling would use a single cone with the apex pointing downward. Understanding these distinctions is critical for safety and regulatory compliance on the water, ensuring that all vessels are aware of each other's operations.