AB Rules of the Road & Maritime Regulations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the arc of visibility for a vessel's sidelights?
- 112.5 degrees each side (Correct answer)
- 135 degrees each side
- 180 degrees each side
- 225 degrees each side
Correct answer: 112.5 degrees each side
Rule 21 defines sidelights as showing from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam — an arc of 112.5 degrees on each side.
Question 2: A vessel towing where the length of tow exceeds 200 meters displays which special day shape?
- A black diamond (Correct answer)
- Two black balls
- A black cone
- A black cylinder
Correct answer: A black diamond
Rule 24 requires a vessel towing where the length of tow exceeds 200 meters to display a black diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Question 3: Which rule of the COLREGS establishes the duty to maintain a proper lookout?
- Rule 4
- Rule 5 (Correct answer)
- Rule 6
- Rule 7
Correct answer: Rule 5
Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means, at all times.
Question 4: A vessel using a traffic separation scheme must generally proceed in which direction?
- Against the general flow to gain speed advantage
- In the general direction of traffic flow for that lane (Correct answer)
- In whichever lane is less congested
- Perpendicular to the traffic flow
Correct answer: In the general direction of traffic flow for that lane
Rule 10(b) requires vessels using a traffic lane to proceed in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane.
Question 5: Under COLREGS, what is the difference between a 'short blast' and a 'prolonged blast'?
- Short = 1 sec; Prolonged = 4–6 sec (Correct answer)
- Short = 2 sec; Prolonged = 6–8 sec
- Short = less than 1 sec; Prolonged = 3–5 sec
- Short = 1 sec; Prolonged = 10 sec
Correct answer: Short = 1 sec; Prolonged = 4–6 sec
Rule 32 defines a short blast as about one second duration and a prolonged blast as from four to six seconds duration.
Question 6: When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel altering course to starboard sounds what signal?
- One short blast (Correct answer)
- Two short blasts
- Three short blasts
- One prolonged blast
Correct answer: One short blast
Rule 34 requires one short blast to indicate 'I am altering my course to starboard' when vessels are in sight of each other.
Question 7: A vessel aground shows which additional light or shape beyond anchor lights?
- Two red lights in a vertical line and three black balls (Correct answer)
- Three red lights in a vertical line
- Three black balls in a triangle
- A white flashing light
Correct answer: Two red lights in a vertical line and three black balls
Rule 30(d) requires a vessel aground to exhibit anchor lights plus two all-around red lights in a vertical line and three black balls in a vertical line by day.
AB Rules of the Road & Maritime Regulations 4
What is the arc of visibility for a vessel's sidelights?