Rules of the Road & Maritime Regulations Flashcards

What does a red navigational light indicate at night?

Answer: Port side

According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), a vessel's port (left) side is indicated by a red navigational sidelight. This helps other vessels determine the direction of travel and avoid collisions at night.

What is the purpose of COLREGs?

Answer: Prevent collisions

COLREGs, or the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, are a set of international rules governing the conduct of vessels to prevent collisions. They cover aspects like right-of-way, lights, shapes, and sound signals, ensuring safe navigation worldwide.

What signal indicates a vessel is altering course to starboard?

Answer: One short blast

According to COLREGs, a power-driven vessel making way in sight of another vessel signals its intention to alter course to starboard (right) by sounding one short blast on its whistle. This audible signal communicates the maneuver to nearby vessels, preventing misunderstandings and collisions.

What does a single white light visible all around mean?

Answer: Anchored vessel

According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), a single white light visible all around the horizon is the designated signal for a vessel at anchor. This light is typically displayed at the forward part of the vessel, indicating its stationary position to other vessels, especially during nighttime or restricted visibility.

Who has right of way in a crossing situation?

Answer: Starboard-side vessel

In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, COLREGs Rule 15 dictates that the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way. This means the vessel approaching from the starboard side is the stand-on vessel and has the right of way. The other vessel, the give-way vessel, must take early and substantial action to avoid collision.

How should vessels pass when meeting head-on?

Answer: Alter to starboard

COLREGs Rule 14, concerning head-on situations, states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard. This action ensures that each vessel passes on the port side of the other, effectively preventing a collision.

What does a yellow over white light indicate?

Answer: Towing vessel

Under COLREGs Rule 24, a vessel engaged in towing, when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, must display a yellow all-around light above a white all-around light at the stern. This specific light combination serves as a clear signal to other vessels, indicating that it is a towing vessel with a long tow and requires extra caution.

When is a vessel considered 'restricted in her ability to maneuver'?

Answer: Due to operational limitations

A vessel is considered 'restricted in her ability to maneuver' when, due to the nature of her work, she is unable to deviate from her course or keep out of the way of other vessels as required by COLREGs. This includes operations such as dredging, cable-laying, surveying, or launching/recovering aircraft, where the vessel's movement is constrained by its specific task.

What does the sound signal of five short blasts mean?

Answer: Danger signal

According to COLREGs Rule 34(d), five short and rapid blasts on the whistle is the international danger signal. This signal is used when a vessel is in doubt about the intentions or actions of another vessel, or whether sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision. It alerts other vessels to a potential hazardous situation.