PWC PWC Navigation Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a red buoy with an even number indicate in the US lateral marker system?
- Keep it on your left when returning from sea
- Keep it on your right when returning from sea (Correct answer)
- Danger ahead — do not pass
- This marks an obstruction
Correct answer: Keep it on your right when returning from sea
Under the US lateral system, red even-numbered buoys (nuns) are kept to starboard (right) when returning to port from sea — 'Red Right Returning.'
Question 2: What does a diamond-shaped buoy with a cross inside indicate?
- Safe water mark
- Boat exclusion zone — no vessels allowed (Correct answer)
- Hazard to navigation
- Speed limit area
Correct answer: Boat exclusion zone — no vessels allowed
A white buoy with an orange diamond containing an orange cross is a regulatory marker indicating a boat exclusion zone such as a swim area.
Question 3: What action should a PWC operator take when approaching a yellow diamond-shaped buoy?
- Stop completely and wait
- Proceed with caution — it marks a hazard or obstruction (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to clear the hazard quickly
- It is a speed zone marker — slow to idle
Correct answer: Proceed with caution — it marks a hazard or obstruction
Yellow diamonds are hazard markers indicating rocks, shoals, or other dangers; operators should slow down and navigate carefully around them.
Question 4: What does a green can buoy with an odd number indicate?
- Keep it on your right when heading upstream or toward port
- Keep it on your left when returning from sea (heading upstream) (Correct answer)
- Marks a safe anchorage area
- Indicates a speed restriction zone
Correct answer: Keep it on your left when returning from sea (heading upstream)
Green odd-numbered buoys (cans) are kept to port (left) when returning from sea or heading upstream, opposite the red buoys.
Question 5: What is a 'no-wake zone' and how must a PWC operator behave in one?
- A zone where the engine must be off
- A zone where the vessel must travel slowly enough to produce no wake (Correct answer)
- A zone restricted to commercial vessels only
- A zone where all passengers must be seated
Correct answer: A zone where the vessel must travel slowly enough to produce no wake
A no-wake zone requires vessels to travel at the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage, producing minimal or no wake to protect shorelines and other boaters.
Question 6: Under US Navigation Rules, what is the 'give-way' vessel required to do?
- Maintain course and speed
- Take early and substantial action to keep clear of the stand-on vessel (Correct answer)
- Sound three short blasts and stop
- Turn off navigation lights
Correct answer: Take early and substantial action to keep clear of the stand-on vessel
The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action — not last-minute — to clearly show the stand-on vessel that it is taking avoiding action.
PWC PWC Navigation Rules 2
What does a red buoy with an even number indicate in the US lateral marker system?