Alabama Boaters Navigation Rules 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what does five or more short blasts on a horn signify?
- Agreement with another vessel's intentions
- A vessel in distress
- Danger or disagreement with another vessel's maneuver (Correct answer)
- A vessel backing down
Correct answer: Danger or disagreement with another vessel's maneuver
Five or more short blasts is the danger signal, indicating doubt or disagreement with another vessel's intentions and that a collision may be imminent.
Question 2: A vessel engaged in towing operations exhibits which lights in addition to sidelights and sternlight?
- Two masthead lights in a vertical line and a yellow towing light above the sternlight (Correct answer)
- One all-around white light
- A flashing yellow light
- Three vertical all-around lights
Correct answer: Two masthead lights in a vertical line and a yellow towing light above the sternlight
A towing vessel shows two (or three if tow exceeds 200m) vertical masthead lights and a special yellow towing light above the sternlight.
Question 3: What does a vessel signal with three short blasts?
- I am altering course to starboard
- I am operating in reverse (astern propulsion) (Correct answer)
- I am in doubt of your intentions
- I am overtaking you on your starboard side
Correct answer: I am operating in reverse (astern propulsion)
Three short blasts means 'I am operating astern propulsion' — the vessel's engines are in reverse.
Question 4: What is the minimum safe speed rule designed to accomplish?
- To prevent vessels from exceeding posted speed limits
- To ensure a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision (Correct answer)
- To reduce fuel consumption in congested waters
- To maintain a fixed distance from other vessels
Correct answer: To ensure a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
Rule 6 requires every vessel to proceed at a safe speed so it can take effective action to avoid collision and stop within an appropriate distance.
Question 5: A vessel less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel is not required to sound fog signals in restricted visibility if:
- It is traveling in a marked channel
- It has an efficient sound signal device
- They are exempt — all vessels must sound fog signals (Correct answer)
- It is traveling less than 5 knots
Correct answer: They are exempt — all vessels must sound fog signals
There are no exemptions by size for fog signals in restricted visibility — all vessels must sound the appropriate signal for their status.
Question 6: When approaching a vessel displaying a rigid replica of the international code flag 'Alpha,' a boater should know the other vessel is:
- Engaged in fishing operations
- A vessel not under command
- Engaged in diving operations with limited maneuverability (Correct answer)
- A law enforcement vessel
Correct answer: Engaged in diving operations with limited maneuverability
The code flag Alpha (blue-and-white) indicates a vessel engaged in diving operations; other vessels must keep well clear and proceed at safe speed.
Question 7: What is the arc of visibility of a vessel's green starboard sidelight?
- 112.5 degrees (Correct answer)
- 135 degrees
- 180 degrees
- 360 degrees
Correct answer: 112.5 degrees
Each sidelight covers an arc of 112.5 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side.
Alabama Boaters Navigation Rules 4
Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what does five or more short blasts on a horn signify?