Alabama Boaters Navigation Rules 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vessel has the right of way over all other vessels under the Navigation Rules?
- A power-driven vessel
- A sailing vessel
- A vessel not under command (Correct answer)
- A vessel engaged in fishing
Correct answer: A vessel not under command
A vessel not under command (e.g., with engine failure or steering failure) is at the top of the right-of-way hierarchy because it cannot maneuver.
Question 2: What does one prolonged blast every two minutes indicate?
- A vessel at anchor in fog
- A power-driven vessel underway in restricted visibility (Correct answer)
- A vessel aground
- A vessel not under command
Correct answer: A power-driven vessel underway in restricted visibility
A power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes.
Question 3: What is the sound signal for a vessel at anchor in restricted visibility?
- One prolonged blast every two minutes
- Two short blasts repeated
- Rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds every one minute (Correct answer)
- Three short blasts repeated
Correct answer: Rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds every one minute
A vessel at anchor in fog rings a bell rapidly for about five seconds at intervals of not more than one minute.
Question 4: When a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel, which vessel must give way?
- The power-driven vessel because sailing vessels always have right of way
- The sailing vessel because it is the overtaking vessel (Correct answer)
- Neither vessel needs to give way
- The slower vessel always gives way
Correct answer: The sailing vessel because it is the overtaking vessel
The overtaking vessel — regardless of type — is always the give-way vessel; the vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.
Question 5: What lights must a power-driven vessel under 12 meters exhibit at night when underway?
- Masthead light, sidelights, and sternlight
- Sidelights and sternlight only
- Masthead light and anchor light
- All-around white light and sidelights (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All-around white light and sidelights
A power-driven vessel less than 12 meters may exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights instead of the full masthead/stern combination.
Question 6: Which of the following is a 'give-way' vessel in a crossing situation involving a sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel?
- The sailing vessel
- The power-driven vessel (Correct answer)
- Whichever vessel is moving faster
- Whichever vessel is smaller
Correct answer: The power-driven vessel
A power-driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel in a crossing situation, as sailing vessels rank higher in the right-of-way hierarchy.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the sternlight on a vessel?
- To show the vessel's position to boats approaching from the front
- To warn boats approaching from the rear (Correct answer)
- To indicate the vessel's direction of travel to boats on the beam
- To signal distress in an emergency
Correct answer: To warn boats approaching from the rear
The sternlight (white, showing 135°) warns vessels approaching from behind that they are entering the overtaking zone.
Alabama Boaters Navigation Rules 3
Which vessel has the right of way over all other vessels under the Navigation Rules?