USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, both vessels are required to do what?
- Alter course to starboard (Correct answer)
- Alter course to port
- Sound five short blasts and stop
- Maintain course and speed
Correct answer: Alter course to starboard
Under COLREGS Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels meet head-on, each shall alter course to starboard so they pass port-to-port.
Question 2: What does a single prolonged blast of a vessel's whistle indicate in restricted visibility?
- A vessel underway and making way (Correct answer)
- A vessel at anchor
- A vessel aground
- A vessel towing
Correct answer: A vessel underway and making way
Under COLREGS Rule 35, a power-driven vessel underway and making way shall sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
Question 3: Under the Inland Rules, a white light visible all around the horizon is required for which vessel?
- A vessel less than 7 meters at anchor (Correct answer)
- A vessel under oars
- A power-driven vessel underway
- A sailing vessel underway
Correct answer: A vessel less than 7 meters at anchor
Under Inland Rule 30, a vessel less than 7 meters at anchor may show an all-round white light instead of anchor lights.
Question 4: What is the minimum sound signal equipment required for a vessel 12 to 20 meters in length?
- A whistle only
- A bell only
- A whistle and a bell (Correct answer)
- A whistle, bell, and gong
Correct answer: A whistle and a bell
COLREGS Rule 33 requires vessels 12 meters or more in length to carry a whistle and a bell.
Question 5: Which light is required on the stern of a power-driven vessel underway?
- A yellow light
- A white sternlight (Correct answer)
- A red light
- An all-round white light
Correct answer: A white sternlight
COLREGS Rule 23 requires a power-driven vessel underway to exhibit a white sternlight showing an arc of 135 degrees.
Question 6: When shall a vessel in a narrow channel keep to the starboard side?
- Only when another vessel is approaching
- At all times when safe and practicable (Correct answer)
- Only during restricted visibility
- Only at night
Correct answer: At all times when safe and practicable
COLREGS Rule 9 requires every vessel proceeding along a narrow channel to keep as near to the outer limit on its starboard side as is safe and practicable.
USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations 1
When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, both vessels are required to do what?