Rules of Road Practice Test 1

Question 1

INLAND ONLY

You are navigating in a narrow channel and must remain in the channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel ahead of you from your starboard and you are doubtful as to whether your vessel will pass safely if she continues on her present course.

Which statement is true?

A. You must stop your vessel, since the other vessel has the right of way.

B. You must sound one short blast of the whistle, and turn to starboard

C. You must sound the danger signal.

D. You must stop your engines, and the sounding of the danger signal is optional.

Answer 1

B. Must sound the danger signal

Question 2

INLAND ONLY

Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?

A. Seaplane
B. Restricted visibility
C. Underway
D. Vessel constrained by her draft

Answer 2

D. Vessel constrained by her draft.

Question 3

INLAND ONLY

You are proceeding up a channel in Chesapeake Bay and are meeting an outbound vessel.

Responsibilities include _________________________.

A. keeping to that side of the channel which is on your vessel’s port side

B. stopping your vessel and letting the outbound vessel initiate the signals for meeting and passing

C. appropriately answering any whistle signals given by the other vessel

D. giving the outbound vessel the right of way

Answer 3

C. Appropriately answering any whistle signals given by the other vessel.

*This question refers to an INLAND narrow channel and gives no information to the types of vessels, therefore neither both has right of way and your responsibilities then assume you will both pass safely port to port.

Therefore you must stay to the right side of the channel (off your starboard side) and proceeding in a safe manner WHICH INCLUDES responding to any whistle signals.

Question 4

INLAND ONLY

You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern of the other vessel.

You MUST _________________.

a) sound one short blast
b) sound two short blasts
c) change course to starboard
d) None of the above

Answer 4

D. None of the above

Question 5

INLAND ONLY

When overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, a vessel desiring to overtake on the other vessel’s port side, would sound a whistle signal of _______.

A. one short blast

B. two short blasts

C. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

D. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

Answer 5

B. Two short blasts

Question 6

INLAND ONLY

You are on vessel “A” and vessel “B” desires to overtake you on the starboard side as shown in DIAGRAM 38.

After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals you should

A. alter course to the left

B. slow your vessel until vessel “B” has passed

C. hold course and speed

D. alter course to the left or right to give vessel “B” more sea room

Answer 6

C. Hold course and speed

Question 7

INLAND ONLY

Two vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than one-half mile apart. In this situation whistle signals ___________________.

A. must be exchanged

B. may be exchanged

C. must be exchanged if passing agreements have not been made by radio

D. must be exchanged only if course changes are necessary by either vessel

Answer 7

C. Must be exchanged if passing agreements have not been made by radio

*INLAND RULES allow you to communicate via RADIO FIRST. If contact is made, sound signals are not required.

Question 8

INLAND ONLY

Under the Inland Navigational Rules, what is the meaning of a one short blast signal used in a meeting situation with another vessel?

A. “I am turning to starboard.”

B. “I am turning to port.”

C. “I intend to leave you on my starboard side.”

D. “I intend to leave you on my port side.”

Answer 8

D. “I intend to leave you on my port side.”

Question 9

INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?

A. One short blast

B. Three short blasts

C. One prolonged blast

D. Three prolonged blasts

Answer 9

C. One prolonged blast

Question 10

INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along its starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should _____________________.

A. not overtake the other vessel until both vessels exchange the same passing signal

B. not overtake the other vessel until she sounds another five short and rapid blast signal

C. pass the other vessel along her starboard side

D. sound five short and rapid blasts and pass along her starboard side

Answer 10

A. Not overtake the other vessel until both vessels exchange the same passing signal.

Question 11

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a _________________.

A. sailboat underway
B. vessel underway, towing
C. vessel underway, making way
D. vessel being towed

Answer 11

C. Vessel underway, making way

Question 12

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Which of the following is a distress signal?

A. triangular flag above or below a ball

B. The International Code Signal of distress indicated by JV

C. A green smoke signal

D. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel

Answer 12

D. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel.

Question 13

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

If a rowboat underway does not show the lights specified for a sailing vessel underway, it shall show a _________________.

A. white light from sunset to sunrise

B. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown from sunset to sunrise

C. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

D. white light shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

Answer 13

D. White light shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

Question 14

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

When navigating in restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel shall ___________________.

A. if risk of collision does not exist, still stop her engines when hearing a fog signal forward of her beam

B. have her engines ready for immediate maneuver

C. when making way, sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than one minute

D. operate at a speed to be able to stop in the distance of her visibility

Answer 14

B. Have her engines ready for immediate maneuver

Question 15

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 14-meters in
length?

A. A bell only

B. A whistle only

C. A bell and a whistle

D. Any means of making an efficient sound signal

Answer 15

B. A whistle only

*A vessel less than 12 meters needs any means of making an efficient sound signal.

A vessel less than 20m only requires a whistle.

A vessel over 20m requires a whistle and a bell. Therefore, 14 m needs a whistle only.

Question 16

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as ___________________.

A. white lights are not used

B. red and green lights are not used

C. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone

D. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules

Answer 16

D. The signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules.

Question 17

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show _________________.

A. sidelights, sternlight, and a red light over a green light on the mast

B. sidelights, and sternlight, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast

C. separate sidelights and sternlight

D. sidelights only

Answer 17

B. Sidelights, and sternlight, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast

Question 18

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

You are on a power-driven vessel in fog. The vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. In this situation, the Rules require you to navigate with caution until the danger of collision is over and to ___________________.

A. slow to less than 2 knots
B. reduce to bare steerageway
C. stop your engines
D. initiate a radar plot

Answer 18

B. Reduce to bare steerageway

Question 19

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

A. Three strokes before and after sounding on the gong

B. Three strokes before and after the ringing of the bell

C. Four short blasts on the whistle

D. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

Answer 19

B. Three strokes before and after the ringing of the bell.

Question 20

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

Which statement is true concerning a vessel “constrained by her draft?”

A. It must be a power-driven vessel.

B. It is not under command

C. It may be a vessel being towed.

D. She is hampered because of her work.

Answer 20

A. It must be a power-driven vessel.

Question 21

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

At night, a power-driven vessel of less than 7-meters in length where its maximum speed does not exceed seven knots must show when underway ________________.

A. sidelights and a sternlight

B. the lights required for a vessel more than seven meters in length

C. sidelights only

D. one all-round white light

Answer 21

D. One all-round white light

Question 22

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

Which of the following statements is correct concerning a situation involving a fishing vessel and a vessel not under command?

A. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.

B. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, it must keep clear of the fishing vessel.

C. They must exchange whistle signals.

D. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.

Answer 22

A. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.

Question 23

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which _________________.

A. is located between the separation scheme and the nearest land

B. contains all the traffic moving in one direction

C. Designated as an anchorage area

D. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction

Answer 23

D. Separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction

Question 24

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel _________________.

A. intends to alter course to starboard

B. intends to pass starboard to starboard

C. is altering course to starboard

D. intends to pass port to port

Answer 24

C. Is altering course to starboard.

*Read the question! This refers to INTERNATIONAL RULES ONLY
where one short blast ONLY means “I am altering my course to starboard.” Intentions are only used for overtaking vessels.

Question 25

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

You are operating a vessel through a narrow channel and your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely.

Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port, and you are in doubt as to his intentions. You _______________________.

A. may sound the danger signal

B. must sound the danger signal

C. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed

D. are required to back down

Answer 25

B. Must sound the danger signal

Question 26

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

In addition to her running lights, an underway vessel constrained by her draft shall carry in a vertical line _______________.

A. a red light, white light, red light

B. two red lights

C. two white lights

D. three red lights

Answer 26

D. Three red lights

Question 27

INLAND ONLY

You are navigating in a narrow channel and must remain in the channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel ahead of you from your starboard and you doubt whether your vessel will pass safely.

Which statement is TRUE?

A. You must stop your vessel, since the other vessel is the stand-on.

B. You must sound one short blast of the whistle and turn to starboard.

C. You must sound the danger signal.

D. You must stop your engines and you may sound the danger signal.

Answer 27

C. You must sound the danger signal.

Question 28

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

Which of the following vessels is NOT regarded as being “restricted in her ability to maneuver”?

A. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation

B. A vessel engaged in dredging

C. A towing vessel with tow unable to deviate from its course

D. A vessel constrained by her draft

Answer 28

D. A vessel constrained by her draft.

Question 29

INLAND ONLY

Yellow lights are NOT used to identify ________.

A. U.S. submarines

B. vessels pushing ahead

C. law enforcement vessels

D. dredge pipelines on trestles

Answer 29

C. Law enforcement vessels

Question 30

INLAND ONLY

A power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers has the right of way over ____________________.

a) vessels ascending the river

b) vessels descending the river

c) all vessels ascending and descending the river

d) None of the above

Answer 30

D. None of the above.

Question 31

INLAND ONLY

A barge more than 50 meters long would be required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary of Transportation approved “special anchorage area”?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer 31

B. Two

Question 32

INLAND ONLY

While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line.

This should indicate to you a(n) _______________________.

A. opening in a pipeline
B. vessel broken down
C. vessel pushing ahead
D. vessel fishing

Answer 32

C. Vessel pushing ahead

Question 33

INLAND ONLY

You are approaching a sharp bend in a river. You have sounded a prolonged blast and it has been answered by a vessel on the other side of the bend.

Which statement is TRUE?

A. Both vessels must exchange passing signals when in sight and passing within one-half mile of each other.

B. both vessels must immediately sound passing signals whether or not they are in sight of each other.

C. The vessel downriver must stop her engines and navigate with caution.

D. No further whistle signals are necessary.

Answer 33

A. Both vessels must exchange passing signals when in sight and passing within one-half mile of each other.

Question 34

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

The NAVIGATION RULES define a “vessel not under command” as a vessel which ______________.

A. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel

B. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules

C. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation

D. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

Answer 34

B. Through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules.

Question 35

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel?

A. A 16-meter sailing vessel
B. A 25-meter power-driven vessel
C. A 28-meter sailing vessel
D. Any non-self-propelled vessel

Answer 35

A. A 16-meter sailing vessel.

Question 36

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

You see a vessel’s green sidelight bearing due east from you. The vessel might be heading _____.

A. east (090°)
B. northeast (045°)
C. northwest (315°)
D. southwest (225°)

Answer 36

D. Southwest (225°)

Question 37

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

When underway in a channel, you should keep to the _____.

A. middle of the channel

B. starboard side of the channel

C. port side of the channel

D. side of the channel that has the widest turns

Answer 37

B. Starboard side of the channel

Question 38

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying _________________.

A. two balls in a vertical line
B. two diamonds in a vertical line
C. a single black ball
D. no shape is shown during the day

Answer 38

B. Two diamonds in a vertical line.

Question 39

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

A. Searchlight beam

B. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus

C. Burning barrel

D. Orange smoke signal

Answer 39

A. Searchlight beam

Question 40

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry _________________________.

A. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond

B. two black balls

C. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond

D. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

Answer 40

D. Three shapes:

The highest and lowest shall be black balls

The middle shall be a black diamond.

Question 41

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Which vessel is directed not to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

A. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length

B. A vessel not under command

C. A vessel engaged in surveying

D. All of the above

Answer 41

A. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length.

Question 42

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, they may show lights in addition to their towing identification lights. These additional lights may be shown if the tow is _______________.

A. pushed ahead
B. towed alongside
C. towed astern
D. Any of the above

Answer 42

D. Any of the above.

Pushed, Towed Alongside, or Towed Astern.

Question 43

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

A. A sailing vessel

B. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

C. A vessel not under command

D. A vessel fishing

Answer 43

A. A sailing vessel.

Question 44

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

A. A 200-meter sailing vessel

B. A 50-meter power-driven vessel

C. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing

D. All of the above

Answer 44

B. A 50-meter power-driven vessel.

Question 45

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

A. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on

B. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

C. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side

D. All of the above

Answer 45

A. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on.

Question 46

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

Your tug is underway at night and NOT towing. What light(s) should your vessel show aft to other vessels coming up from astern?

A. One white light

B. Two white lights

C. One white light and one yellow light

D. One white light and two yellow lights

Answer 46

A. One white light.

Question 47

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND

In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow.

You should __________.

A. stop your engines

B. sound the danger signal at two-minute intervals

C. hold course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

D. take avoiding action as soon as possible

Answer 47

D. Take avoiding action as soon as possible.

Question 48

INLAND ONLY
CHANNEL RUNNING WEST TO EAST

Vessels “A” (TOP LEFT) OF CHANNEL
Vessel “B” (BOTTOM RIGHT)

Vessels “A” and “B” are passing in a narrow channel as shown in DIAGRAM 29. Which of the following is true concerning whistle signals between vessels?

A. Both vessels should sound two short blasts.

B. Both vessels should sound one short blast.

C. Vessel “A” should sound one short blast and vessel “B” should sound two short blasts.

D. Neither vessel should sound any signal as no course change is necessary.

Answer 48

A. Both vessels should sound two short blasts.

*This question stipulates this is referring to INLAND rules only.

Therefore, when two vessels are passing in a narrow channel, intention signals MUST be exchanged. As they are passing starboard to starboard, two short blasts are needed.