What is an all-around light?

• A. A light visible 360° around the horizon.
• B. A light visible only forward.
• C. A light visible to the crew only.
• D. A light visible 180°.

Answer: (A)

An all-around light is a light that is visible 360 degrees around the horizon. This full-circle visibility is important so other vessels can see you from any direction, which is why anchor lights and some other required signals are all-around. If a light were visible only forward, it would have a restricted arc and wouldn’t be seen from behind. A light visible only to the crew isn’t a navigation aid for other vessels, and a 180-degree light wouldn’t provide full directional visibility.