Rules of the Road

Question 1

Meaning of 1 prolonged blast every 2 mins

Answer 1

Power driven vessel making way (Vessel >12m long)

Question 2

Meaning of 2 prolonged blasts every 2 mins

Answer 2

Power driven vessel not making way (Vessel >12m long)

Question 3

Meaning of 1 prolonged blast and 2 short blasts every 2 mins

Answer 3

Vessel not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, constrained by draft, sailing, engaged in fishing, engaged in towing/pushing (Vessel >12m long)

Question 4

Meaning of 1 prolonged blast and 3 short blasts every 2 mins

Answer 4

Towed vessel, or if multiple in tow, last one in the tow (Vessel >12m long)

Question 5

Meaning of Bell for 5 secs every minute

Answer 5

Vessel at anchor (may also use short, long, short blast to give warning of position. (Vessel >20m long)

Question 6

Meaning of bell for 5 secs and then gong for 5 secs every minute

Answer 6

Vessel over 100 meters in length at anchor

Question 7

Meaning of 5 seconds of bell, then 3 distinct strikes of the bell every minute.

Answer 7

Vessel aground (Vessel >20m long)

Question 8

Meaning of 1 short blast

Answer 8

“I am altering my course to starboard”[international]

“I intend to leave you on my port side”[inland]

Question 9

Meaning of 2 short blasts

Answer 9

“I am altering my course to port”[international]

“I intend to leave you on my starboard side”[inland]

Question 10

Meaning of 3 short blasts

Answer 10

“I am operating astern propulsion”

Question 11

Meaning of 4 short blasts in addition to other fog signal

Answer 11

Pilot vessel engaged in pilotage duty

Question 12

Meaning of a diamond shape

Answer 12

Power driven vessel when towing and the length of the tow exceeds 200m

Question 13

Meaning of a cone shape (apex down)

Answer 13

Vessel under sail while also being propelled by machinery

Question 14

Meaning of two cones (vertical, apexes to center)

Answer 14

Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling

Question 15

Meaning of cone shape (apex up)

Answer 15

vessel engaged in fishing with gear extending over 150 meters from the vessel. Shape should in the direction of the gear.

Question 16

Meaning of one ball shape

Answer 16

Vessel at anchor

Question 17

Meaning of 2 ball shapes

Answer 17

Vessel not under command

Question 18

Meaning of 3 ball shapes in a vertical line

Answer 18

Vessel aground

Question 19

Meaning of 3 ball shapes at the top and sides of a cross

Answer 19

Vessel engaged in mine clearance

Question 20

Meaning of a ball over a diamond over a ball

Answer 20

Restricted in ability to maneuver for reasons other than mine clearance

Question 21

Meaning of a cylinder day shape

Answer 21

Vessel constrained by draft

Question 22

When must lights be shown

Answer 22

From sunset to sunrise

Question 23

[International and Inland] What vessel must have a masthead light forward, a second masthead light abaft and higher than the forward one if longer than 50 meters, and sidelights and a stern light.

Answer 23

A power driven vessel underway.

Question 24

[International and Inland] What vessel must have an all around flashing yellow light, in addition to the light for a power driven vessel underway?

Answer 24

An air cushion vessel operating in non-displacement mode.

Question 25

[International and Inland] What vessel must have a high intensity all-round flashing red light in addition to the lights for a PDV making way?

Answer 25

A WIG craft when taking off, landing, or in flight near the surface.

Question 26

[International and Inland] What vessel may have an all round white light and sidelights?

Answer 26

A power driven vessel less than 12 meters in length.