Rules of the Road Practice Questions

1. 72 COLREGS apply to vessels upon which waters?

• A.All vessels on the high seas and connected navigable waters✓
• B.Only vessels on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles
• C.Only vessels in international waters beyond 3 nautical miles
• D.All vessels on the high seas and in U.S. inland waters

Why: Rule 1(a) states the rules apply on the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels. This broad application covers coastal, port, and offshore waters unless a nation has established special inland rules for specific waters.

2. A sailing vessel underway at night shall show:

• A.A tricolor light at the masthead only
• B.Sidelights, a sternlight, and a white masthead light
• C.Sidelights and a sternlight only✓
• D.Sidelights, a sternlight, and two all-round lights (red over green) at the masthead

Why: Rule 25(a) requires a sailing vessel underway to show sidelights and a sternlight only, so C is the mandatory minimum. The optional two all-round lights (red over green) at the masthead are authorized by Rule 25(c) — not 25(b), which is the combined tricolor lantern for vessels under 20m — and a white masthead light would falsely indicate a power-driven vessel.

3. Which of the following is listed as a recognized distress signal in Annex IV of the COLREGS?

• A.Orange smoke floating on the water✓
• B.A green flare fired aloft
• C.A single white flare
• D.A blue strobe light

Why: The keyed answer is correct: 'a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke' is a recognized distress signal under COLREGS Annex IV, paragraph 1(j) (not 1(k); paragraph 1(k) is slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side). The distractors are not Annex IV distress signals: Annex IV pyrotechnic distress signals are red (red rockets/parachute flares and red stars), so a green flare and a single white flare do not qualify, and a blue strobe/light is associated with law-enforcement and government vessels rather than distress.

4. Rule 2(b) of the COLREGS states that in construing and complying with the rules, due regard shall be had to:

• A.All dangers of navigation and collision and any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved✓
• B.The size and speed of each vessel involved in a potential collision situation
• C.The flag state regulations of each vessel and local port authority requirements
• D.Weather conditions only, as all other factors are covered by other rules

Why: Rule 2(b) is the 'general prudential rule,' requiring mariners to consider all dangers of navigation and collision and any special circumstances, including vessel limitations, that may make departure from the rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

5. You are overtaking another vessel in a narrow channel and intend to pass on the other vessel's starboard side. Under Rule 9(e), what signal do you sound?

• A.Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast✓
• B.One prolonged blast followed by one short blast
• C.Two short blasts
• D.One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts

Why: Rule 9(e)(i) specifies that a vessel intending to overtake on the other vessel's starboard side shall indicate intent by sounding two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle.