PCOC Safety Regulations and Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a white light displayed all around on an anchored vessel at night signify?
- The vessel is underway and making way
- The vessel is anchored and not moving (Correct answer)
- The vessel is aground and needs assistance
- The vessel is towing another vessel
Correct answer: The vessel is anchored and not moving
A single all-around white light is the required anchor light for vessels under 50 metres to indicate they are anchored.
Question 2: Under the Collision Regulations, what is the duty of a vessel that is the 'give-way' vessel?
- Maintain its course and speed
- Take early and substantial action to keep well clear (Correct answer)
- Sound one short blast and then hold course
- Display an all-around flashing yellow light
Correct answer: Take early and substantial action to keep well clear
The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid collision, keeping well clear of the stand-on vessel.
Question 3: A pleasure craft operator spots a vessel displaying a rigid replica of the international code flag 'A' (blue and white). What does this mean?
- The vessel has a diver down; keep clear and proceed at slow speed (Correct answer)
- The vessel is in distress and needs assistance
- The vessel is carrying hazardous materials
- The vessel is law enforcement
Correct answer: The vessel has a diver down; keep clear and proceed at slow speed
A blue-and-white 'Alpha' flag (Code Flag A) indicates a diver is operating below; other vessels must stay clear and slow down.
Question 4: What action should you take when your pleasure craft is overtaking another vessel in a narrow channel?
- Proceed on whichever side is clearest
- Sound one short blast if passing on the other vessel's starboard side
- Wait for the vessel ahead to signal its agreement before passing (Correct answer)
- Always overtake on the port side of the vessel ahead
Correct answer: Wait for the vessel ahead to signal its agreement before passing
In a narrow channel, the overtaking vessel must signal its intention and wait for the vessel ahead to respond with an agreement signal before passing.
Question 5: Which of the following is a legal requirement when towing a water-skier in Canada?
- The towing vessel must be at least 10 metres long
- An observer other than the operator must be on board to watch the skier (Correct answer)
- The skier must wear a PFD rated for water sports
- Towing is only permitted between 0800 and sunset
Correct answer: An observer other than the operator must be on board to watch the skier
Canadian regulations require a second person on board the towing vessel to act as an observer and watch the person being towed at all times.
Question 6: What should an operator do before entering a lock on a Canadian waterway?
- Proceed at full speed to maintain steerage
- Reduce speed, wait for the lockmaster's signal, and approach slowly (Correct answer)
- Sound three long blasts to request entry
- Turn off the engine and drift in
Correct answer: Reduce speed, wait for the lockmaster's signal, and approach slowly
Before entering a lock, operators must slow down, await the lockmaster's instructions, and approach the lock slowly and carefully.
Question 7: What is the primary reason pleasure craft operators are required to carry a watertight flashlight or equivalent?
- To signal other vessels during daylight hours
- To illuminate navigation lights if they fail and for signaling in emergencies (Correct answer)
- To assist with engine repairs below deck
- To identify fishing lines in the water
Correct answer: To illuminate navigation lights if they fail and for signaling in emergencies
A watertight flashlight can serve as an emergency backup for navigation lights and as a distress signal if primary equipment fails.
PCOC Safety Regulations and Procedures 3
What does a white light displayed all around on an anchored vessel at night signify?