Practice Test Geeks(OBS) Online Boating Safety Certification Practice Test
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Online Boating Navigation Rules & Regulations Flashcards

7 cards from real OBS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Online Boating Navigation Rules & Regulations flashcards as text

  1. Under US Inland Rules, what does one short blast from a power-driven vessel mean?

    Answer: I am altering course to starboard

    Under US Inland Rules, one short blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side' — effectively an agreement to pass starboard-to-starboard.

  2. What is the purpose of a preferred channel buoy (junction buoy)?

    Answer: Marks where two channels meet, indicating the preferred channel by the top color band

    A preferred channel buoy is red and green and shows the preferred (main) channel by its top color — red top means keep it to starboard when returning.

  3. A vessel aground in a fairway must sound which fog signal?

    Answer: Rapid ringing of a bell plus three distinct strokes before and after

    A vessel aground gives a bell signal plus three separate strokes of the bell immediately before and after the bell ringing.

  4. Under COLREGS and US Navigation Rules, which vessel type is the MOST privileged (highest stand-on priority) in a hierarchy?

    Answer: A vessel not under command

    Vessels not under command (NUC) have the highest stand-on status because they are unable to maneuver to avoid others.

  5. What does a flashing yellow buoy or light indicate on US waterways?

    Answer: A cautionary area such as a traffic separation scheme

    Flashing yellow marks cautionary areas on US waterways where mariners should proceed with extra care.

  6. A recreational vessel operating between sunset and sunrise must display navigation lights. When do these lights need to be turned on?

    Answer: From sunset to sunrise and in periods of restricted visibility

    Navigation lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and also during any period of restricted visibility, day or night.

  7. What is the maximum speed a vessel may travel within a US federal No-Wake Zone?

    Answer: Idle speed/minimum speed necessary to maintain steering

    In a No-Wake Zone, vessels must travel at the minimum speed needed to maintain steerage — the key requirement is producing no wake, not a specific speed.