Maneuvering & Warning Signals Practice Questions

1. A power-driven vessel in sight of another vessel alters course to starboard. What whistle signal is required under Rule 34?

• A.Two short blasts
• B.Three short blasts
• C.One short blast✓
• D.One prolonged blast

Why: Rule 34(a)(i) requires one short blast to mean 'I am altering my course to starboard.' Two short blasts signal a port alteration. Three short blasts signal engines going astern. This signal is used only when vessels are in sight of one another.

2. Three short blasts on a whistle, under Rule 34, signals which of the following?

• A.I am altering course to starboard
• B.I am altering course to port
• C.I am operating astern propulsion✓
• D.I am in doubt — danger

Why: Rule 34(a)(iii) states three short blasts mean 'I am operating astern propulsion.' This does not necessarily mean the vessel is moving astern — it means engines are in astern (backing). It applies only when vessels are in sight of each other.

3. Under Rule 34(e), what sound signal is prescribed when a power-driven vessel is approaching a bend or obstruction where other vessels may be obscured?

• A.Two short blasts
• B.One prolonged blast✓
• C.Three short blasts
• D.Five short blasts

Why: Rule 34(e) requires any vessel nearing a bend or obstruction in a channel where another vessel may be obscured to sound one prolonged blast. The answering vessel approaching from the other side must also sound one prolonged blast. If vessels hear each other around the bend, Rule 34(a) signals apply.

4. You are the give-way vessel and intend to pass a vessel on her starboard side in a narrow channel. Under Rule 34(c), what signal must you sound to propose this maneuver?

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

Why: Rule 34(c)(i) covers overtaking in a narrow channel where the overtaking vessel cannot pass without the other vessel taking action. To pass on the other vessel's starboard side, the overtaking vessel sounds two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast. One prolonged + two short = pass on the port side. Mutual agreement is confirmed by one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, one short from the vessel being overtaken.

5. A vessel in a narrow channel hears one prolonged blast, one short blast, one prolonged blast, and one short blast from a vessel ahead. What does this signal mean under Rule 34?

• A.The vessel ahead agrees to be overtaken on her starboard side✓
• B.The vessel ahead agrees to be overtaken on her port side
• C.The vessel ahead is sounding the doubt signal
• D.The vessel ahead disagrees with the proposed overtaking

Why: Rule 34(c)(ii) states that the vessel being overtaken, if she agrees with the proposed maneuver, shall sound one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order (Morse code 'C' — Charlie — meaning agreement/affirmative). If she does not agree or is unsure, she sounds the danger signal of five or more short blasts.