Collision Avoidance and Regulations Flashcards

You are operating a power-driven vessel and see another power-driven vessel approaching from your starboard side on a crossing course. A risk of collision exists. According to the Collision Regulations, what is your primary responsibility?

Answer: Keep out of the way of the other vessel.

According to Rule 15 of the COLREGs (Crossing Situation), when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side is the 'give-way' vessel and must keep out of the way. The other vessel is the 'stand-on' vessel and should maintain its course and speed.

Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which of the following is the defining characteristic of an overtaking situation?

Answer: The overtaking vessel is approaching the other from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam.

Rule 13(b) of the COLREGs defines a vessel as overtaking when it is 'coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam'. This means the overtaking vessel is in a sector where, at night, it would only see the sternlight of the vessel ahead, but neither of its sidelights.

You are operating your vessel in dense fog and hear one prolonged blast from another vessel at intervals of not more than two minutes. What does this signal indicate?

Answer: A power-driven vessel underway and making way through the water.

According to Rule 35 of the COLREGs, a power-driven vessel making way through the water in or near an area of restricted visibility shall sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes. Other signals are used for vessels that are stopped, at anchor, or restricted in their ability to maneuver.

Two power-driven vessels are approaching each other in a head-on situation. What action is required by the Collision Regulations?

Answer: Each vessel shall alter its course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

Rule 14 of the COLREGs explicitly 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 to pass port-to-port.

According to Rule 5 of the Collision Regulations, maintaining a proper look-out must be done by which of the following means?

Answer: By sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate.

Rule 5 mandates that 'Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions'. This includes using equipment like radar and VHF radio in addition to visual and auditory observation to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision.

Your small vessel is operating at night. At a minimum, what navigation lights are required to be displayed?

Answer: An all-round white light, and, if possible, separate or combined sidelights (red and green).

Canadian regulations, which align with the COLREGs, require small vessels to be visible from all directions. A simple configuration for a small power-driven vessel is an all-round white light and sidelights. For the smallest vessels like canoes, a flashlight or lighted lantern showing a white light that is ready at hand is the absolute minimum if displaying other lights is not practical. However, for most small motorized vessels, the combination of an all-round white light and sidelights is the standard requirement.