OUPV - Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel Rules of the Road Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are operating a power-driven vessel in restricted visibility and hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. Which of the following vessels could be sounding this signal?
- A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and not making way through the water.
- A vessel aground.
- A sailing vessel underway. (Correct answer)
- A vessel being towed.
Correct answer: A sailing vessel underway.
According to Rule 35, a sailing vessel underway in restricted visibility shall sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes. This signal also applies to vessels not under command, vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver, vessels engaged in fishing, and vessels engaged in towing or pushing another vessel.
Question 2: Two sailing vessels are approaching on opposite tacks. Vessel A is on a port tack, and Vessel B is on a starboard tack. According to the Navigation Rules, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?
- Vessel A, because it is on a port tack.
- Vessel B, because it is on a starboard tack. (Correct answer)
- The vessel that is to leeward.
- The vessel that is overtaking the other.
Correct answer: Vessel B, because it is on a starboard tack.
Rule 12 states that when two sailing vessels are approaching one another on opposite tacks, the vessel which has the wind on the port side (port tack) shall keep out of the way of the other (starboard tack). Therefore, the vessel on the starboard tack is the stand-on vessel.
Question 3: During daylight hours, you see a vessel ahead displaying three black balls in a vertical line. What does this day shape indicate?
- A vessel not under command.
- A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
- A vessel at anchor.
- A vessel aground. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A vessel aground.
The Navigation Rules specify that a vessel aground shall exhibit three black balls in a vertical line where they can best be seen. A vessel at anchor would show one black ball, and a vessel not under command would show two black balls in a vertical line.
Question 4: You are operating a 35-foot power-driven vessel underway at night. Which of the following lighting configurations is required?
- A masthead light forward, sidelights, and a sternlight. (Correct answer)
- Sidelights and a sternlight only.
- One all-round white light only.
- A red all-round light over a white all-round light.
Correct answer: A masthead light forward, sidelights, and a sternlight.
A power-driven vessel underway is required to exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights (red for port, green for starboard), and a sternlight. Vessels under 12 meters (approximately 39.4 feet) may, as an alternative, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.
Question 5: In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, which of the following statements correctly describes the responsibility of the give-way vessel?
- It must maintain course and speed until a collision is imminent.
- It is the vessel that has the other on its own port side.
- It must take early and substantial action to keep well clear. (Correct answer)
- It should expect the stand-on vessel to maneuver first.
Correct answer: It must take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side is the give-way vessel. The give-way vessel is required to take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the stand-on vessel, which should maintain its course and speed.
Question 6: Which of the following vessels has the highest priority or 'right of way' according to the general hierarchy established in Rule 18?
- A sailing vessel.
- A vessel engaged in fishing.
- A power-driven vessel.
- A vessel not under command. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A vessel not under command.
Rule 18 establishes a hierarchy of responsibility. A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, and a vessel not under command. A vessel not under command is at the top of this hierarchy, meaning other vessels must keep clear of it.
OUPV - Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel Rules of the Road Questions and Answers
You are operating a power-driven vessel in restricted visibility and hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.
Which of the following vessels could be sounding this signal?