Free OUPV Navigational Rules of the Road Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are operating a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and intend to overtake another power-driven vessel on its starboard side. According to the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the appropriate whistle signal to indicate your intention?
- One short blast (Correct answer)
- Two short blasts
- One prolonged blast
- Five or more short blasts
Correct answer: One short blast
Inland Navigation Rule 9 states that a vessel intending to overtake another on the other vessel's starboard side shall sound one short blast. If the vessel to be overtaken agrees, it will sound the same signal in return.
Question 2: At night, you see another vessel ahead exhibiting both red and green sidelights and a white masthead light. What type of situation is this, and what action is required?
- A crossing situation where you must give way.
- An overtaking situation where you are the stand-on vessel.
- A head-on situation where both vessels must alter course to starboard. (Correct answer)
- A stationary vessel at anchor.
Correct answer: A head-on situation where both vessels must alter course to starboard.
Seeing both sidelights of a vessel ahead indicates a head-on or nearly head-on situation. According to Rule 14, in such a meeting, each vessel must alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
Question 3: Which of the following vessels has the highest priority (is the most 'stand-on' vessel) according to the general hierarchy of responsibility between vessels (Rule 18)?
- A sailing vessel underway
- A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (Correct answer)
- A vessel engaged in fishing
- A power-driven vessel
Correct answer: A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
Rule 18 establishes a 'pecking order' for vessel responsibility. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver is to be kept clear of by power-driven vessels, sailing vessels, and vessels engaged in fishing. Only a vessel not under command has higher priority.
Question 4: You are operating a 15-meter powerboat in foggy conditions, making way through the water. What sound signal are you required to make?
- Two prolonged blasts every two minutes.
- One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts every two minutes.
- Ringing a bell rapidly for 5 seconds every minute.
- One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes.
Rule 35(a) specifies that a power-driven vessel making way through the water in or near an area of restricted visibility shall sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
Question 5: Under the Navigation Rules, a sailing vessel underway must keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT:
- A vessel engaged in fishing
- A power-driven vessel crossing its path (Correct answer)
- A vessel not under command
- A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
Correct answer: A power-driven vessel crossing its path
According to Rule 18, a sailing vessel must keep out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, and a vessel engaged in fishing. However, a power-driven vessel must generally keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
Question 6: When navigating in a narrow channel, what is the general rule of thumb for your vessel's position within the channel?
- Keep to the center of the channel for deepest water.
- Navigate on the port side of the channel.
- Keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on your starboard side as is safe and practicable. (Correct answer)
- Overtake other vessels on whichever side is wider.
Correct answer: Keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on your starboard side as is safe and practicable.
Rule 9, which governs conduct in narrow channels, explicitly states that a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
Free OUPV Navigational Rules of the Road Questions and Answers 1
You are operating a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and intend to overtake another power-driven vessel on its starboard side.
According to the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the appropriate whistle signal to indicate your intention?