Buoyage & COLREGs Flashcards

A vessel sees the following lights at night: red over white over red. What does this mean?

Answer: The vessel is a pilot vessel on duty

Red over white over red is the light combination for a pilot vessel on duty (COLREGs Rule 29). It may also show sidelights and sternlight when underway.

In a head-on situation between two power-driven vessels at night, both see each other's red and green sidelights. What should each vessel do?

Answer: Both alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port

COLREGs Rule 14: in a head-on situation, both vessels are give-way vessels and both must alter to starboard, passing port side to port side.

What lights must a vessel of less than 7 metres in length, capable of no more than 7 knots, show at night?

Answer: An all-round white light, plus sidelights if practicable

COLREGs Annex I and Rule 23(d): small vessels under 7m and 7 knots need only show an all-round white light. Sidelights are shown if practicable.

A North Cardinal mark should be passed to the:

Answer: North of the mark

Cardinal marks indicate safe water in the direction the mark's name suggests. A North Cardinal is passed to its north — safe water lies to the north of the hazard.

COLREGs Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain:

Answer: A proper lookout by sight and hearing, using all available means

Rule 5 is fundamental: a proper lookout must be kept at all times by sight and hearing, and by radar, AIS, and all other means appropriate to the circumstances.

A vessel displays a black ball at anchor by day. Under COLREGs, where must this be displayed?

Answer: In the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen

COLREGs Rule 30: a vessel at anchor shows a black ball forward. By night, an all-round white light is shown forward (and for vessels over 50m, a second all-round white light aft).