AB Rules of the Road & Maritime Regulations — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does a red navigational light indicate at night?

Starboard side
Rear of vessel
Port side (Correct answer)
Anchor position

Correct answer: Port side

According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), a vessel's port (left) side is indicated by a red navigational sidelight. This helps other vessels determine the direction of travel and avoid collisions at night.

Question 2: What is the purpose of COLREGs?

Document cargo
Track speed
Prevent collisions (Correct answer)
List crew

Correct answer: Prevent collisions

COLREGs, or the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, are a set of international rules governing the conduct of vessels to prevent collisions. They cover aspects like right-of-way, lights, shapes, and sound signals, ensuring safe navigation worldwide.

Question 3: What signal indicates a vessel is altering course to starboard?

Three long blasts
Two short blasts
One short blast (Correct answer)
Continuous blast

Correct answer: One short blast

According to COLREGs, a power-driven vessel making way in sight of another vessel signals its intention to alter course to starboard (right) by sounding one short blast on its whistle. This audible signal communicates the maneuver to nearby vessels, preventing misunderstandings and collisions.

Question 4: What does a single white light visible all around mean?

Fishing
Sailing
Anchored vessel (Correct answer)
Engine off

Correct answer: Anchored vessel

According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), a single white light visible all around the horizon is the designated signal for a vessel at anchor. This light is typically displayed at the forward part of the vessel, indicating its stationary position to other vessels, especially during nighttime or restricted visibility.

Question 5: Who has right of way in a crossing situation?

Larger vessel
Faster vessel
Starboard-side vessel (Correct answer)
Fishing boat

Correct answer: Starboard-side vessel

In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, COLREGs Rule 15 dictates that the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way. This means the vessel approaching from the starboard side is the stand-on vessel and has the right of way. The other vessel, the give-way vessel, must take early and substantial action to avoid collision.

Question 6: How should vessels pass when meeting head-on?

Maintain course
Alter to port
Alter to starboard (Correct answer)
Stop engines

Correct answer: Alter to starboard

COLREGs Rule 14, concerning head-on situations, states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard. This action ensures that each vessel passes on the port side of the other, effectively preventing a collision.

Question 7: What does a yellow over white light indicate?

Fishing at night
Anchor light
Towing vessel (Correct answer)
Under repair

Correct answer: Towing vessel

Under COLREGs Rule 24, a vessel engaged in towing, when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, must display a yellow all-around light above a white all-around light at the stern. This specific light combination serves as a clear signal to other vessels, indicating that it is a towing vessel with a long tow and requires extra caution.

Question 8: When is a vessel considered 'restricted in her ability to maneuver'?

In open water
During fishing
Due to operational limitations (Correct answer)
When fast-moving

Correct answer: Due to operational limitations

A vessel is considered 'restricted in her ability to maneuver' when, due to the nature of her work, she is unable to deviate from her course or keep out of the way of other vessels as required by COLREGs. This includes operations such as dredging, cable-laying, surveying, or launching/recovering aircraft, where the vessel's movement is constrained by its specific task.

Question 9: What does the sound signal of five short blasts mean?

Slow down
All clear
Danger signal (Correct answer)
Turn to port

Correct answer: Danger signal

According to COLREGs Rule 34(d), five short and rapid blasts on the whistle is the international danger signal. This signal is used when a vessel is in doubt about the intentions or actions of another vessel, or whether sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision. It alerts other vessels to a potential hazardous situation.

AB Rules of the Road & Maritime Regulations

What does a red navigational light indicate at night?