U.S. COLREGs By-the-Book Quiz

#1. Under Rule 29(a)(i), what lights must a vessel engaged on pilotage duty exhibit at or near the masthead?

Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower white

Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red

Three all-round lights: white over red over white

Two all-round green lights in a vertical line

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

#2. Under 33 CFR 84.02(a)(i) (Inland Annex I), on a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length, at what minimum height above the hull must the forward masthead light be placed?

Not less than 2.5 meters

Not less than 5 meters, and if breadth exceeds 5 meters, at a height not less than such breadth, up to 8 meters

Not less than 12 meters above the waterline

Not less than 4 meters above the uppermost continuous deck

Not less than 6 meters above the keel line

#3. Under Rule 3(a), what is the exact regulatory definition of the word ‘vessel’?

Any watercraft utilized primarily for the carriage of commercial cargo or passengers

Every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water

Any displacement hull measuring more than 5 meters in length overall

Every documented boat or ship operating under the navigational laws of a coastal nation

Any self-propelled vehicle navigating upon the high seas or inland waters

#4. Under Rule 22(b), what is the required visibility range for a masthead light on a vessel of 12 meters or more in length but less than 20 meters in length?

2 nautical miles

3 nautical miles

4 nautical miles

5 nautical miles

6 nautical miles

#5. Under 33 CFR 83.24(i) (Inland Rule 24), what special lights are required on the Western Rivers for a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside?

She must exhibit forward and after masthead lights and sidelights

She shall exhibit sidelights and two towing lights in a vertical line, but no masthead lights

She must display three masthead lights in a vertical line and a sternlight

She is required to exhibit standard anchor lights and an amber flashing light

She must exhibit two all-round white lights disposed horizontally aft

#6. Under Rule 21(b), what are the horizontal arcs and colors of sidelights?

Green on port and red on starboard, each showing over an unbroken arc of 135 degrees

Green on the starboard side and red on the port side, each showing an unbroken light over an arc of 112.5 degrees from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side

White on starboard and yellow on port, each showing over an arc of 180 degrees

Green on starboard and red on port, each showing over an unbroken arc of 90 degrees abeam

Red on starboard and green on port, each showing over an unbroken arc of 225 degrees forward

#7. Under Rule 23(a), what lights must a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length exhibit when underway?

A forward masthead light, an after masthead light higher than the forward one, sidelights, and a sternlight

A single forward masthead light, sidelights, and a sternlight

Two masthead lights placed horizontally, sidelights, and two sternlights

A forward masthead light, an all-round red light, and sidelights

An all-round white light forward and an all-round white light aft

#8. Under Rule 8(e), how may a vessel slacken her speed or take all way off if necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation?

By discharging ballast water forward to adjust vessel trim

By stopping or reversing her means of propulsion

By executing a continuous 360-degree Williamson turn in the channel

By deploying auxiliary sea anchors or drag lines astern

By sounding a succession of rapid whistle blasts while maintaining course

#9. Under Rule 25(c), what optional lights may a sailing vessel underway exhibit at or near the top of the mast?

Two all-round white lights placed horizontally

Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green

Three all-round lights in a vertical line: red over white over red

An all-round green light positioned vertically over an all-round white light

A high-intensity yellow strobe light visible over 360 degrees

#10. Under 33 CFR 26.03(e) and 26.04(d), on which waters must vessels also monitor VHF Channel 67 (156.375 MHz) as an additional bridge-to-bridge frequency?

The Great Lakes connecting fairways

The lower Mississippi River from the territorial sea boundary to mile 242.4 AHP near Baton Rouge, and specified canal reaches

Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Chesapeake Bay north of the Hampton Roads bridge-tunnel

San Francisco Bay traffic lanes inside the Golden Gate

#11. Under 33 CFR 83.24(c) (Inland Rule 24), what lights must a power-driven vessel exhibit when pushing ahead or towing alongside on inland waters other than Western Rivers?

Two masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and two towing lights in a vertical line

Two masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a sternlight

A single masthead light, sidelights, and two yellow towing lights

Three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a flashing amber light

Sidelights, a sternlight, and an all-round red light forward

#12. According to 33 CFR 83.01(b)(ii) (Inland Rule 1), what is the regulatory status under Inland Rules of a vessel complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations?

She must obtain an annual Coast Guard variance certificate prior to inland transit

She is considered to be in compliance with the Inland Rules

She must alter her light positions to meet Inland technical annexes within 30 days

She is exempt only if operating in fresh water on the Great Lakes

She must display a dedicated amber identification beacon while on inland waters

#13. Under 33 CFR 161.18 and 161.19, what report must a VMRS User submit to the Vessel Traffic Center prior to getting underway within a VMRS area?

Final Position Report

Sailing Plan (SP)

Hazardous Cargo Declaration Certificate

Vessel Stability Clearance Form

Notice of Arrival Clearance Log

#14. Under 33 CFR 83.21(g) (Inland Rule 21), what is a ‘special flashing light’?

A red light flashing at 120 flashes per minute displayed by law enforcement craft

A yellow light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 50 to 70 flashes per minute, placed as far forward as practicable, showing over an arc of not less than 180 degrees nor more than 225 degrees forward

An all-round white strobe light flashing 60 times per minute displayed by dredges

A blue light flashing at 50 to 70 flashes per minute displayed on public safety vessels

An amber light showing unbroken over 360 degrees displayed by hovercraft

#15. What approach distance is indicated to be dangerous by the display of mineclearance lights under Rule 27(f)?

Within 250 meters

Within 500 meters

Within 1000 meters

Within 1500 meters

Within 2 nautical miles

#16. What sound signal is prescribed by Rule 34(d) when a vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of another, or doubts whether sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision?

One prolonged blast followed by three short blasts

At least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle

Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

Three prolonged blasts sounded at 1-minute intervals

Continuous sounding of the ship’s horn for 10 seconds

#17. Under Rule 24(a)(v) and (e), what day shape must be exhibited by both the towing vessel and the tow if the length of tow exceeds 200 meters?

A black ball shape forward

A diamond shape where it can best be seen

Two black cones with apexes together

A black cylinder shape at the masthead

A rigid replica of flag ‘A’

#18. Under Rule 30(a), what lights must a vessel of 50 meters or more in length exhibit when at anchor?

An all-round white light in the fore part and an all-round white light at or near the stern and at a lower level

A single all-round white light amidships at maximum height

Forward and after masthead lights, sidelights, and a sternlight

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line forward

An all-round white light forward and deck working floodlights only

#19. What is the meaning of ONE short blast sounded by a power-driven vessel on U.S. INLAND waters under 33 CFR 83.34(a)(i)(1)?

I am altering my course to starboard

I intend to leave you on my port side

I am operating astern propulsion

I intend to leave you on my starboard side

I am entering a designated VTS reporting lane

#20. Under Rule 12(a)(iii), what is required of a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side that sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side?

She shall stand on and maintain her heading until the situation clears

She shall keep out of the way of the other

She shall luff into the wind immediately and stop all headway

She shall sound one prolonged blast and alter course to starboard

She shall exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line

#21. Under Rule 5, what methods must every vessel use at all times to maintain a proper look-out?

Radar scanning and automatic target tracking equipment exclusively

Sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions

Forward visual observation from the centerline of the bridge during daylight hours only

Continuous VHF monitoring on Channel 16 supplemented by electronic chart display

A dedicated forward deck watchman rotated every two hours during navigation

#22. According to Rule 3(k), when are vessels deemed to be ‘in sight of one another’?

Only when one can be observed visually from the other

Whenever radar tracking indicates an approaching target with zero bearing drift

When bidirectional bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone communication has been established

Whenever AIS targets appear on an ECDIS display at a range under 3 nautical miles

When an approaching sound signal is clearly identified by ear or acoustic sensor

#23. Under Rule 25(e), what day shape must a vessel proceeding under sail exhibit when also being propelled by machinery, and what is the U.S. Inland exception?

A black ball forward; vessels under 20 meters are exempt

A conical shape, apex downwards forward; under Inland Rules, vessels of less than 12 meters in length are not required to exhibit this shape

A black cylinder amidships; vessels on the Great Lakes are exempt

Two cones apexes together; exempt in Western Rivers

A diamond shape forward; exempt during daytime in marked channels

#24. Under 33 CFR 84.16(a)(i) (Inland Annex I), what vertical sector of electric navigation lights must maintain at least the required minimum intensity?

From 2 degrees above to 2 degrees below horizontal

From 5 degrees above to 5 degrees below the horizontal

From 10 degrees above to 10 degrees below horizontal

From 15 degrees above to 5 degrees below horizontal

From horizontal to 20 degrees above horizontal

#25. Under Rule 26(b) and (c), what day shape must any vessel engaged in fishing exhibit?