Which vessel is required to exhibit white masthead lights?

The requirement for a vessel to exhibit white masthead lights specifically applies to a vessel constrained by her draft. This type of vessel recognizes its limitations in terms of navigation due to the depth of water it needs to operate safely. The white masthead light serves a crucial role as it indicates to other vessels that this particular vessel has a restricted ability to maneuver, thereby requiring other nearby vessels to exercise caution.

In the context of navigation at night, the white masthead light offers visibility on the vessel’s presence and orientation, ensuring safe passage and preventing collisions. The significant nature of this lighting requirement under the Rules of the Road emphasizes the safety concerns tied to the operational constraints of such vessels.