Rules of the Road

Question 1

What are the International Rules commonly known as?

Answer 1

72 COLREGS.

Question 2

When must U.S.-flagged vessels obey 72 COLREGS?

Answer 2

When they are outside of COLREGS Demarcation Lines.

Question 3

What rules are followed by vessels inside of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines?

Answer 3

The Inland Rules.

Question 4

When were the COLREGS agreements first signed?

Answer 4

1972. The US Congress adopted it in 1977.

Question 5

When were the present-day Inland Navigational Rules published?

Answer 5

1980.

Question 6

What are in the main body of the Inland Rules?

Answer 6

Rules 1 through 38. There are also five annexes.

Question 7

Are the International rules and the Inland rules similar to one another?

Answer 7

Yes, except for Annex V of the Inland rules.

Question 8

The International rules, besides the high seas, also apply to…

Answer 8

Seagoing vessels on waterways connecting the high seas.

Question 9

What may submarines display?

Answer 9

An amber light once/second for three seconds, then off for three seconds.

Question 10

The primary purpose of the Rules of the Road is to…

Answer 10

prevent collisions.

Question 11

Rule 2, the “Rule of Good Seamanship”, says that to avoid a collision…

Answer 11

it may sometimes be necessary to violate other rules.

Question 12

The rules were written to handle the meetings of two vessels. Therefore…

Answer 12

the meeting of three or more vessels is a “special circumstance”.

Question 13

72 COLREGS allows “states” to make addition rules for…

Answer 13

Warships, convoys, and fishing fleets.

Question 14

What is a “vessel”?

Answer 14

Every watercraft, include non-displacement, WIG, and seaplanes on the water.

Question 15

What is a “power-driven vessel”?

Answer 15

A vessel driven by machinery.

Question 16

What is a “sailing vessel”?

Answer 16

A vessel under sail - i.e. not using machinery for propulsion.

Question 17

What is a “vessel engaged in fishing”?

Answer 17

A vessel fishing with nets, lines, or trawls, which restrict maneuverability. Does NOT include trolling or fishing vessels with unrestricted maneuverability.

Question 18

What is a “seaplane”?

Answer 18

An aircraft designed to maneuver on water.

Question 19

What is a “vessel not under command”?

Answer 19

Through some exceptional circumstance, is not able to follow the normal rules.

Question 20

What is a “vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver”?

Answer 20

Because of its work, it has restricted ability to follow these rules. E.g. nav markers, cables, pipelines, dredging, surveying, transferring persons or cargo, handling aircraft, mine clearing, difficult towing.

Question 21

What is a “vessel constrained by her draft”?

Answer 21

A power-driven vessel with draft that restricts her ability to change course.

Question 22

What is “underway”?

Answer 22

Not anchored, docked, or aground.

Question 23

What does “in sight” mean?

Answer 23

Can be visually observed.

Question 24

What is “restricted visibility”?

Answer 24

Fog, mist, rain, etc. (even sandstorms) that restricts visibility.

Question 25

There is a risk of collision if…

Answer 25

the bearing to another vessel doesn’t change.

Question 26

If there is any doubt about the possibility of collision…

Answer 26

take proper action to avoid it.

Question 27

Rules 4-10 apply when?

Answer 27

In any condition of visibility. Follow these rules at all times.

Question 28

Rules 11-18 apply when?

Answer 28

When vessels are within sight of one another.

Question 29

Rule 19 applies when?

Answer 29

In restricted visibility.

Question 30

When does a vessel need a lookout?

Answer 30

At all times. “Lookout” applies to sight and hearing. The lookout must be able to see and hear potential danger at all times and in all conditions.

Question 31

What about vessel speed?

Answer 31

Vessels must operate at a safe speed at all times. Consider visibility, traffic, weather, draft, background lights, “back scatter” light. Also, radar limitations.

Question 32

What is fundamental to remember about vessel speed?

Answer 32

The vessel must be able to stop before incurring danger.

Question 33

There is a risk of collision if I…

Answer 33

…have any doubts about it.

Question 34

Can there be a risk of collision even if the bearing to another boat is changing?

Answer 34

Yes, if we are at close range.

Question 35

To check bearing vs. an approaching vessel…

Answer 35

…use radar or compass bearing. Note that radar information can be “scanty”.

Question 36

Course changes to avoid collision should be:

Answer 36

…made in ample time AND be big enough to be observed by the other vessel.

Question 37

To avoid a collision I can either…

Answer 37

…alter course (probably preferred) or take way off/reverse engines.

Question 38

If I am worried about collision, it’s OK to…

Answer 38

…slow down to give more time to assess the situation.

Question 39

When traveling along a narrow channel, do what?

Answer 39

Stay as close as possible to the starboard.

Question 40

What vessels should not impede others in a narrow channel?

Answer 40

Sailboats, boats less than 20m, vessel engaged in fishing, and a vessel crossing the channel.

Question 41

How is a narrow channel defined?

Answer 41

It’s subjective.

Question 42

What about anchoring in a narrow channel?

Answer 42

Nope.

Question 43

Signal to pass on the port side in a narrow channel?

Answer 43

_ _ . . and the response is _ . _ .

Question 44

Signal to pass on the starboard side in a narrow channel?

Answer 44

_ _ . and the response is _ . _ .

Question 45

Can fishing vessels fish in a narrow channel?

Answer 45

Yes, but they must move for any vessel.

Question 46

Signal when approaching a tight/blind corner in a narrow channel?

Answer 46

Long blast 4-6 seconds.

Question 47

Traffic separation scheme: normally do what?

Answer 47

Go with the flow and stay away from the divider.

Question 48

Traffic separation scheme: join how?

Answer 48

Preferable at the end, else at a narrow angle.

Question 49

If you must cross traffic lanes…

Answer 49

… do it at a right angle.

Question 50

Traffic separation scheme: using the inshore zone?

Answer 50

20m or less, sailboats, fishing boats, to some location like a port, or to avoid danger.

Question 51

Traffic separation scheme: when it is OK to use the separation zone?

Answer 51

Leaving or joining the scheme, fishing, to avoid danger.

Question 52

Anchoring in a traffic separation scheme?

Answer 52

Nope.

Question 53

Vessels that may not impede in a traffic separation scheme?

Answer 53

Sailboats, boats less than 20m, fishing.

Question 54

Traffic separation scheme: vessels exempt from the rules?

Answer 54

Vessels restricted in ability to maneuver working on navigation items, or laying submarine cable.

Question 55

What is the third sailing rule, other than S and L?

Answer 55

If wind is on port, and I see vessel to windward, give way if i can’t tell if he’s on port or starboard tack.

Question 56

What exceptions would apply to the three sailing rules?

Answer 56

One boat is in a narrow channel, or one boat is NUC or RAM or fishing, or an overtaking situation.

Question 57

Who has right-of-way in an overtaking situation?

Answer 57

The boat being overtaken has right of way.

Question 58

How is overtaking defined?

Answer 58

More than 22.5 degrees abaft, so I can only see the stern light, not either of the sidelights.

Question 59

The overtaking vessel must keep clear until it is…

Answer 59

“past and clear” of the other vessel.