Which vessel must carry a compass?

Which vessel must carry a compass?

• A. A Vessel That Is Self-Propelled
• B. A Vessel Certified for Passenger Service
• C. A Vessel in the Gulf of Mexico
• D. A Vessel With a Magnetic Compass Required

Answer: (C)

A compass requirement comes from regulations, not a location or a generic vessel type. You must carry a magnetic compass on a vessel only when the rules for that vessel’s size, propulsion, or service specify that a compass is required. The obligation isn’t triggered simply by being in a particular area, or by being self-propelled or carrying passengers, unless those factors place the vessel in the category that the regulations cover. So the correct idea is that a vessel must carry a compass when the regulations for that vessel require it.

A compass requirement comes from regulations, not a location or a generic vessel type. You must carry a magnetic compass on a vessel only when the rules for that vessel’s size, propulsion, or service specify that a compass is required. The obligation isn’t triggered simply by being in a particular area, or by being self-propelled or carrying passengers, unless those factors place the vessel in the category that the regulations cover. So the correct idea is that a vessel must carry a compass when the regulations for that vessel require it.