Spinnaker Sailing
Navigation and Right of Way Rules Quiz

These questions and their answers are gleaned from the USCG Mariners Tests, and we trust in them for their accuracy. There are over 400 questions regarding navigation rules alone and all quiz questions are picked randomly. Questions are graded individually and you do not have to answer all questions to check your answers. Don't be discouraged if you miss a few questions, some of them are pretty hard. However, the more you take this test the more you will learn!
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Question 1 - Inland rules - While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) ...
) opening in a pipeline
) vessel broken down
) vessel pushing ahead
) vessel fishing

Question 2 - Inland/International rules - The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within ...
) the distance of visibility
) 1/2 the distance of visibility
) a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
) the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

Question 3 - Inland/International rules - What is NOT a distress signal?
) Red flares or red rockets
) Continuous sounding of fog signalling apparatus
) one black ball
) Basket hanging in the rigging

Question 4 - Inland/International rules - Five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is ...
) in doubt that another vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid a collision
) altering course to starboard
) altering course to port
) the stand-on vessel and will maintain course and speed

Question 5 - Inland/International rules - In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid ...
) turning to port
) turning to starboard
) decreasing speed
) increasing speed

Question 6 - Inland/International rules - You are crossing a narrow channel in an 18-meter tug when you sight a loaded tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is correct?
) Neither vessel has the right of way because the tankship is crossing.
) You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
) The tankship has the right of way because it is in the channel.
) The tankship has the right of way because it is the larger of the two vessels.

Question 7 - Inland/International rules - A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a ...
) vessel being towed
) fishing vessel trawling
) vessel at anchor warning of her location
) power-driven pilot vessel on station underway

Question 8 - Inland/International rules - You are in charge of a power-driven vessel underway in dense fog. You observe another vessel on radar half a mile distant on your port bow and closing. You should ...
) sound the danger signal
) exchange passing signals
) sound one short blast
) sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast

Question 9 - Inland/International rules - You are at anchor in fog. The fog signal of a vessel underway has been steadily growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate the presence of your vessel?
) Three blasts on the whiste; one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged.
) Three blasts on the whistle; one short, one prolonged, and one short.
) Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged followed by two short.
) No signal other than your fog signal may be used.

Question 10 - Inland/International rules - You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound ...
) one short blast and maintain course
) two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
) no signal and maneuver at will
) the danger signal