Which vessel must display forward and aft masthead lights when making way?

A vessel must display forward and aft masthead lights when making way to ensure visibility to other vessels and to indicate its presence on the water, especially at night or during reduced visibility conditions.

In this context, a 75-meter vessel that is restricted in its ability to maneuver has specific lighting requirements under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). Such vessels, which may include those engaged in underwater work, dredging, or similar activities, are required to show masthead lights forward and aft while at anchor and also while underway to communicate their status to other marine traffic.

This requirement ensures that other vessels can recognize that the vessel is not able to maneuver as readily as typical vessels, thus helping to prevent collisions and enhance overall safety on the water. The other options do not align with the specific requirement for the display of aforward and aft masthead lights in the same way that a restricted maneuver vessel does, as they pertain to different types of operations or sizes that have other lighting rules.