What lights would a sailing vessel that is less than 7 meters long be required to exhibit?

A sailing vessel that is less than 7 meters long is required to exhibit only a white light if it is underway. According to COLREGs, the specific lighting requirements for vessels under oar or sail are simplified for smaller vessels for safety and visibility. The white light serves as an all-round light, ensuring that the vessel is recognizable to other boaters, particularly during nighttime or in conditions of reduced visibility.

The regulations are designed to balance the need for visibility with the practicality of having elaborate lighting systems on very small vessels. Since the vessel in question is less than 7 meters in length, it has simplified requirements compared to larger vessels that may need to exhibit multiple lights to indicate their type and operation status more comprehensively. Thus, having only one white light provides minimal yet necessary visibility without overcomplicating the situation on smaller vessels.