COLREGs By-the-Book Quiz

#1. Under Annex II, Section 3, what special lights may vessels engaged in fishing with purse seine gear exhibit?

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line flashing rapidly

Two yellow lights in a vertical line which flash alternately every second and with equal light and occultation duration

One flashing green light and one flashing white light visible at 3 miles

Two amber lights positioned horizontally flashing simultaneously every 2 seconds

An all-round blue flashing light flashing 60 times per minute

#2. What general obligation does Rule 18(e) place upon a seaplane on the water?

She has right of way over all surface craft due to landing speed

She shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation, but comply with the Steering and Sailing Rules when risk of collision exists

She must remain stationary until all power-driven vessels have passed clear

She is governed strictly by aviation flight regulations rather than collision rules

She must exhibit three all-round red lights while taxiing on water

#3. Under Rule 10(k), what activity exempts a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre from complying with Rule 10 to the extent necessary?

Engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme

Engaged in bunkering an offshore tanker

Conducting scientific deep-sea water sampling

Engaged in naval tactical manoeuvres

Transferring pilot personnel between anchorages

#4. Under Rule 8(f)(i), what action must be taken by a vessel that is required by the Rules not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel?

Take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel

Stand on until the other vessel initiates communication via VHF radio

Maintain course and speed until within two nautical miles

Take avoiding action only after the other vessel sounds five short and rapid blasts

Alter course to port immediately regardless of traffic

#5. Where should a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway position herself under Rule 9(a)?

In the center of the deep water channel

As near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable

Along the port outer limit to leave room for faster vessels

Near whichever bank offers the least tidal stream resistance

At least 100 metres clear of all navigation buoys

#6. Under Rule 29(a)(iii), what lights must a vessel engaged on pilotage duty exhibit when at anchor?

Only the standard anchor lights prescribed in Rule 30

At or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line (white over red), and in addition, the anchor light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line and her sidelights

Three all-round white lights in a vertical line

An all-round green light over an all-round red light

#7. Under Rule 3(a), which of the following is specifically included in the definition of a ‘vessel’?

Non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water

Only displacement hull merchant ships and certificated passenger craft

Any floating structure permanently attached to the seabed or an offshore terminal

Displacement water craft excluding any multimodal or amphibious aircraft

Any motorized craft provided it possesses a documented gross tonnage

#8. Which activity is expressly excluded from the definition of a ‘vessel engaged in fishing’ under Rule 3(d)?

Dragging demersal bottom otter trawls

Setting pelagic drift nets longer than 150 metres

Fishing with trolling lines or other apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability

Operating purse seine nets around a school of fish

Hauling static set nets anchored to the seabed

#9. Under Rule 23(d)(ii), what lights may be exhibited by a power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots?

She must exhibit full masthead and sidelights under all circumstances

An all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights

An electric torch or lantern showing an amber flashing light only

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line

A single combined lantern exhibiting red, green, and yellow sectors

#10. Under Rule 22(a), what is the minimum required visibility range for a masthead light on a vessel of 50 metres or more in length?

2 nautical miles

3 nautical miles

5 nautical miles

6 nautical miles

8 nautical miles

#11. What day shape must be exhibited by a vessel not under command?

One black ball forward

Two black balls in a vertical line where they can best be seen

Three black balls in a vertical line

A black cylinder at the masthead

Two cones with apexes together

#12. Except where Rules 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require, a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of which category of vessel under Rule 18(a)?

A vessel not under command

A vessel of greater displacement

A vessel entering a narrow fairway

A power-driven vessel towing alongside

Another power-driven vessel crossing on her port side

#13. A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen which day shape?

A black ball not less than 0.6 metre in diameter

A conical shape, apex downwards

A black cylinder shape

Two cones with apexes together

A black diamond shape

#14. Under Rule 30(b), what lighting option is permitted for an anchored vessel of less than 50 metres in length?

She may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of forward and after anchor lights

She is exempt from showing any lights between sunset and sunrise

She must exhibit two all-round white lights in a vertical line

She must illuminate her decks with continuous working lights

She may exhibit sidelights at half intensity

#15. Over what horizontal arc is a vessel’s sternlight required to show an unbroken light?

112.5 degrees

135 degrees

180 degrees

225 degrees

360 degrees

#16. Which of the following is an authorized reason under Rule 10(e) for a vessel to enter a separation zone or cross a separation line, other than when crossing, joining, or leaving a lane?

In cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger, or to engage in fishing within a separation zone

To overtake a slower vessel on her starboard side

To perform compass calibration swings in calm waters

To carry out emergency steering drills during daylight

To conduct engine maintenance while drifting

#17. In a narrow channel, what whistle signal must the overtaken vessel sound to indicate agreement with being overtaken under Rule 34(c)(ii)?

Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order

Three short blasts in succession

Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts

#18. Under Annex III, Section 1(b)(iii), what is the prescribed fundamental frequency range of a whistle for a vessel of less than 75 metres in length?

70 to 200 Hz

250 to 700 Hz

130 to 350 Hz

500 to 1200 Hz

1000 to 2000 Hz

#19. According to Rule 8(f)(iii), what is the obligation of a vessel whose passage is NOT to be impeded when approaching another vessel so as to involve risk of collision?

She is relieved of all steering and sailing rules until clear

She remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of Part B

She may disregard give-way vessels crossing from her starboard side

She must alter course immediately to port to grant additional room

She must stop propulsion and wait for the impeding vessel to clear

#20. Under Rule 23(c), what distinctive light must a WIG craft exhibit ONLY when taking off, landing, and in flight near the surface?

An all-round flashing yellow light

A high-intensity all-round flashing red light

Two all-round white lights flashing alternately

A flashing green light visible at 5 nautical miles

A pulsating blue beacon mounted atop the vertical stabilizer

#21. Under Annex I, Section 6(b), what is the minimum required vertical distance between day shapes on a vessel of 20 metres or more in length?

At least 0.5 metre

At least 1.0 metre

At least 1.5 metres

At least 2.0 metres

At least 2.5 metres

#22. Under Annex I, Section 3(b), what is the minimum practical horizontal distance required between the obstruction/passing lights and the RAM lights on a dredging vessel?

Not less than 1 metre

In no case less than 2 metres

At least 3 metres

At least 4.5 metres

At least 6 metres

#23. What day shape must be exhibited by a vessel engaged in trawling under Rule 26(b)?

Two black balls in a vertical line

Two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other

A black cylinder shape at the masthead

A single black cone with apex pointing upwards

Two black diamonds in a vertical line

#24. Under Rule 35(h), what sound signal must a vessel aground give in restricted visibility?

Five short and rapid blasts on the whistle every minute

The bell signal (and gong if required) and in addition, three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing

Two prolonged blasts followed by three short blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes

Continuous sounding of the siren at intervals of not more than 30 seconds

Four short blasts on the whistle followed by rapid ringing of the ship’s bell

#25. Under Rule 18(c), which vessels must a vessel engaged in fishing keep out of the way of, so far as possible, when underway?

Sailing vessels and power-driven vessels

A vessel not under command and a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

Vessels constrained by their draught only

High-speed craft operating in non-displacement mode

All power-driven vessels navigating in open waters