OUPV Navigational Rules of the Road 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Navigation Rules, which vessel is the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation?
- The vessel on the left (port) side
- The vessel that has the other on its port side (the vessel on the right) (Correct answer)
- Always the larger vessel
- The vessel traveling faster
Correct answer: The vessel that has the other on its port side (the vessel on the right)
In a crossing situation, the vessel that has the other vessel on its port side is the stand-on vessel.
In a crossing situation under both Inland and International Rules, the vessel that sees the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel. The other vessel (with the crossing vessel on its port side) is the stand-on vessel and should maintain course and speed initially.
Question 2: What is the sound signal for a vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel under Inland Rules?
- One short blast
- Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast (to starboard) or two short blasts (to port) (Correct answer)
- Five short blasts
- One prolonged blast
Correct answer: Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast (to starboard) or two short blasts (to port)
Under Inland Rules, the overtaking vessel signals: two prolonged plus one short blast to pass on starboard side, or two prolonged plus two short blasts to pass on port side.
Under Inland Rules in a narrow channel, the overtaking vessel signals its intention with prolonged and short blast combinations. The vessel being overtaken must respond with a prolonged-short-prolonged-short signal to agree, or five short rapid blasts if in doubt.
Question 3: What does five or more short and rapid blasts on a whistle signify?
- I am altering course to starboard
- Danger signal indicating doubt about intentions or insufficient action to avoid collision (Correct answer)
- I am backing up
- I am at anchor
Correct answer: Danger signal indicating doubt about intentions or insufficient action to avoid collision
Five or more short rapid blasts is the danger or doubt signal, used when a vessel is unsure of another vessels intentions.
The danger signal of five or more short and rapid blasts is used when a vessel fails to understand the intentions of another vessel, or doubts that sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision. Under Inland Rules, this must also be supplemented by a similar light signal.
Question 4: In a head-on meeting situation, what action must both vessels take?
- The smaller vessel must give way
- Both vessels must alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port (Correct answer)
- Both vessels must stop
- The vessel on the right has priority
Correct answer: Both vessels must alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port
When two power-driven vessels meet head-on, both must alter course to starboard so they pass on each others port side.
Rule 14 states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, both must alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port. Neither vessel has priority. Under Inland Rules, the maneuver is signaled with one short blast.
Question 5: What lights must a power-driven vessel under 50 meters display at night while underway?
- Only a stern light
- Masthead light, sidelights (red and green), and a sternlight (Correct answer)
- Two red lights vertically
- A single all-round white light
Correct answer: Masthead light, sidelights (red and green), and a sternlight
A power-driven vessel under 50 meters underway must display a masthead light, port (red) and starboard (green) sidelights, and a white stern light.
Under Rule 23, a power-driven vessel underway must display: a masthead light (white, 225-degree arc, forward and above), sidelights (green to starboard and red to port, each 112.5 degrees), and a stern light (white, 135-degree arc, showing aft).
Question 6: Under the Navigation Rules, what is the obligation of an overtaking vessel?
- The vessel being overtaken must yield
- The overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken (Correct answer)
- Both vessels share equal responsibility
- The faster vessel always has right of way
Correct answer: The overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken
An overtaking vessel is always the give-way vessel and must keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken.
Rule 13 establishes that any vessel overtaking another must keep clear. A vessel is overtaking when approaching from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam. Once established, the overtaking vessel remains give-way until finally past and clear.
OUPV Navigational Rules of the Road 2
Under the Navigation Rules, which vessel is the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation?