COLREGs Practical Navigation Quiz

Deck Officer using binoculars while on bridge watch.

Test how well you can apply COLREGs in realistic situations involving vessel encounters, watchkeeping decisions, and collision avoidance.

 

Results

Passed! Good work, Officer. Your COLREGs judgment is on the right track.

Not quite this time. Review your COLREGs decision-making and give it another watch.

Share your score!
Tweet your score!
Tweet your score!
Share to other

#1. You are the watchkeeper on a vessel overtaking a slower power-driven vessel at night. From your position, you observe only the white sternlight of the vessel ahead. By definition, your vessel is coming up from what direction?

#2. You are the OOW on a vessel in clear weather. You observe a power-driven vessel on your port bow crossing from left to right. Her bearing is drawing forward and range is opening rapidly. What does Rule 7 indicate regarding risk of collision?

#3. During your watch, your vessel is at anchor in a designated anchorage in dense fog. A closing radar contact appears to be heading directly for your anchorage position. What sound signal can you sound under Rule 35(g) in addition to the bell to warn her of your position?

#4. While navigating in restricted visibility, your radar detects an echo 10 degrees on your port bow at 6 nautical miles. Plotting shows a closing CPA of 0.2 nautical miles. Under Rule 19(d)(i), what is the correct collision avoidance manoeuvre?

#5. Under Rule 12, when two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision, which vessel must keep out of the way when each has the wind on a different side?

#6. During your watch in thick fog, visibility drops below 0.5 nautical miles. What is your immediate obligation regarding ship handling and propulsion under Rule 19?

#7. During your navigational watch in daylight, you observe a power-driven vessel approaching fine on your port bow on a collision course. What is your primary obligation as the stand-on vessel?

#8. You are the OOW on a 180-metre vessel navigating in dense fog. A radar target is detected 050 degrees relative at 4 nautical miles with zero bearing drift. In addition to manoeuvring in ample time under Rule 19, what engine status is required?

#9. In daylight, you observe an oncoming power-driven vessel exhibiting three black balls in a vertical line forward. Under Rule 27(f), what specific hazard does this signify?

#10. You are the OOW on a bulk carrier navigating in an adopted Traffic Separation Scheme. A fishing vessel is observed operating within the traffic lane. What does Rule 10(i) state regarding fishing vessels?

#11. You are the OOW on a power-driven vessel underway in open sea. A power-driven vessel is meeting you head-on. You order rudder 20 degrees to starboard. Under Rule 34(a), what sound signal must you sound on the whistle?

#12. You are the watchkeeper on a power-driven vessel approaching a crossing situation where the give-way vessel on your port bow has closed to 1.5 nautical miles without altering course. You sound five short blasts. She maintains course and speed. What action should you now consider under Rule 17(a)(ii)?

#13. You are the watchkeeper on a 150-metre cargo vessel navigating in coastal waters. You detect a target on radar at 5 nautical miles on your port bow. Visual bearing is taken with compass: 030 degrees. Three minutes later: 030 degrees. Five minutes later: 030 degrees. Range is decreasing. What does this confirm?

#14. During your watch, your vessel is overtaking a sailing vessel in open waters. The sailing vessel alters course slightly across your bow. Under Rule 13, what is your responsibility?

#15. You are on watch on a power-driven vessel and sight a vessel displaying two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line. What type of vessel does this day shape indicate?

#16. During your watch in open waters, you observe a high-speed catamaran approaching fine on your starboard bow on a collision course. What is your primary obligation under Rule 15 and Rule 16?

#17. Under Rule 34(d), when two vessels in sight of each other are approaching and either fails to understand the intentions of the other, what is the mandatory sound signal?

#18. While navigating in a narrow channel, you notice a tug towing a barge astern. Under Rule 9, what precaution must you take when overtaking or passing this combination?

#19. You are the OOW on a 150-metre cargo vessel navigating in a traffic lane of a Traffic Separation Scheme. You observe a sailing vessel ahead proceeding slowly in the lane. What is the obligation of the sailing vessel under Rule 10(j)?

#20. Under Rule 6, which of the following is an explicit factor to be taken into account by vessels with operational radar when determining a safe speed?

#21. You are the OOW on a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The give-way vessel on your port bow is at 2 nautical miles and has taken no action. Under Rule 17(c), what action is your vessel specifically instructed to avoid if circumstances admit?

#22. In a narrow channel, the vessel ahead agrees to be overtaken on her starboard side following your sound signal. What whistle signal must she sound to indicate agreement under Rule 34(c)(ii)?

#23. You are navigating along an adopted traffic separation lane. A vessel joins the lane from the starboard side. Does your vessel following the lane have absolute right of way over the joining vessel?

#24. You are the watchkeeper on a power-driven vessel. At night you sight a single white light and no sidelights at 3 nautical miles fine on your bow. Radar confirms range is closing rapidly. What should you conclude?

#25. During your watch at night, you observe a vessel ahead showing an all-round white light over an all-round red light in a vertical line, plus sidelights and sternlight. Which vessel is this?

Previous
Finish