USCG Exam Rules of the Road Trick Questions

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Pandor

Rule 15 for crossing situations applies only to power driven vessels. Therefore, your sailboat is under power and the othe boat is stand on since they are to starboard.

Right. The sailboat has to be under power or they would have called it a "sailing vessel". There's no such thing as a "sailboat" under COLREGS.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

You are correct.

The sailboat is correct for 2 reasons.
1. The sailboat is not under power.
2. Also the tow boat with a barge is just a power driven vessel and is not classified as a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel.
So the pecking order also would give you the sailboat as the answer.

Reference
A Tow boat is only classified as a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" when the towing restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.

The question does not say anything about not being able to deviate from their course.

The sailboat IS under power. They didn't say "sailing vessel" so it's not one. This is probably the worst of the trick questions.

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Another Trick question

In open water you are on a sailboat in a crossing situation with a tow boat towing astern a barge.
The tow boat and barge are on your starboard side. Who is the stand on vessel?

a. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Not Under command"
b. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Restricted in their ability to maneuver"
c. The Sailboat
d. Who every blasted their maneuvering signal first.

Try to answer it yourself.
Remember it is a trick question.

Sorry I did a poor job in wording this question lets try again.

In open water you are on a sailing vessel and a tow boat towing astern a barge is on a crossing course.
The tow boat and barge are on your starboard side. Who is the stand on vessel?

a. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Not Under command"
b. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Restricted in her ability to maneuver"
c. The Sailing vessel
d. Who every blasted their maneuvering signal first.


The answer is c. the sailing vessel because the tow boat is treated as just a power driven vessel and is not a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel.

If it said something about the tow boat can not deviate from her course then the tow boat would be a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel and would be required to show the correct day shape or lights.

Rule 24 Towing and pushing does not talk about displaying the "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" lights

Rule 24
Towing and pushing
§ 83.24
(a) A power-driven vessel when towing astern shall exhibit:
(i) Instead of the light prescribed either in Rule 23(a)(i) or 23(a)(ii) (§§
83.23(a)(i) and (ii)), two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length
of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end
of the tow exceeds 200 meters, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) Sidelights;
(iii) A sternlight;
(iv) A towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight; and
(v) When the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape
where it can best be seen.

Rule 27 "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" point out that a towing vessel is only a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel when it cannot deviate from its course and the added lights needed.


Rule 27
Vessels not under command or restricted in their
ability to maneuver

(c) A vessel engaged in a towing operation which severely restricts the towing
vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition
to the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule,
exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 24 (§ 83.24).

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

What about the pecking order?
The order is from top to bottom.
Overtaken
Not Under Command
Restricted in her ability to maneuver
Fishing
Sail
Power Driver
Sea Plane

Overnight
Rooms
For
Sale
Plus
Sally

Simple.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Sorry I did a poor job in wording this question lets try again.

In open water you are on a sailing vessel and a tow boat towing astern a barge is on a crossing course.
The tow boat and barge are on your starboard side. Who is the stand on vessel?

a. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Not Under command"
b. The Tow boat and barge because they are "Restricted in her ability to maneuver"
c. The Sailing vessel
d. Who every blasted their maneuvering signal first.


The answer is c. the sailing vessel because the tow boat is treated as just a power driven vessel and is not a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel.

If it said something about the tow boat can not deviate from her course then the tow boat would be a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel and would be required to show the correct day shape or lights.

Rule 24 Towing and pushing does not talk about displaying the "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" lights

Rule 24
Towing and pushing
§ 83.24
(a) A power-driven vessel when towing astern shall exhibit:
(i) Instead of the light prescribed either in Rule 23(a)(i) or 23(a)(ii) (§§
83.23(a)(i) and (ii)), two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length
of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end
of the tow exceeds 200 meters, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) Sidelights;
(iii) A sternlight;
(iv) A towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight; and
(v) When the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape
where it can best be seen.

Rule 27 "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" point out that a towing vessel is only a "Restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel when it cannot deviate from its course and the added lights needed.


Rule 27
Vessels not under command or restricted in their
ability to maneuver

(c) A vessel engaged in a towing operation which severely restricts the towing
vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition
to the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule,
exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 24 (§ 83.24).

Now you said "sailing vessel" so it is one. Correct answer.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Well, if they are being all that picky about wording, why do they use the word "prolong" rather than "prolonged" when describing the duration of the signal?

And Pandor, how do you conclude that "Because the question states that both the sailboat and other vessel are in a crossing situation which can only apply between two power-driven vessels, this implies that the sailboat is under power at the time of the crossing."?

What part of the question has the implication buried in it?

Jim

Funny thing is, prior to 1984 the Rules did say "Long Blast". They changed it to "Prolonged Blast" to conform with COLREGS.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

The sailboat IS under power. They didn't say "sailing vessel" so it's not one. This is probably the worst of the trick questions.

They also didn't say "power-driven vessel" so it's not one.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Sometimes they add the difference between whistle and horn.
Example
a. 1 short blast on your fog horn
b. 2 prolong blasts on your fog horn
c. 2 prolong blasts on you fog whistle
d. no sounds are required.

You do not have a horn on your boat you only have a whistle.
Horns are on land, like a lighthouse.
So the answer is c. 2 prolong blasts on you fog whistle.

Notice in both examples that put the almost correct answer first so if you do not read all the answers you will pick it.

Yes, the "almost correct answer first." In my classes I spend a half day going over exam strategy. Things like:

Read all the words in the question and answers
Do not add any words
Do not make any assumptions, if the question doesn't say something is true or happening, it isn't. (Example, the "sailboat". Question didn't say "sailing vessel", so it isn't one.)
Read answer D first every time
Read all the answers, even if you're sure A is correct

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by dannc

Why is the correct answer c. and not b?

Rule 3 says:
Rule 18 says:
How is the person at the helm of the sailboat to know if the tow is, or is not, "a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course"?

Well, there should be shapes or lights.

Yet, the test question makes no mention of shapes or lights. So how is the PUT(Person Under Test) to know the status of the lights or shapes. They have to guess. The right answer COULD be B or C but the question is not providing the information needed to make a proper choice.

Is this not a bad question?

Later,
Dan

PS. This is a great conversation.
PSS. More please.

See post 33 for your answer.

Thanks for taking this thread in the spirit is was intended.
Having a fun and interesting discussion.

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

Yes, the "almost correct answer first." In my classes I spend a half day going over exam strategy. Things like:

Read all the words in the question and answers
Do not add any words
Do not make any assumptions, if the question doesn't say something is true or happening, it isn't. (Example, the "sailboat". Question didn't say "sailing vessel", so it isn't one.)
Read answer D first every time
Read all the answers, even if you're sure A is correct

Very good thanks.

[Captain Graham]

Another Tricky question

A fishing vessel is at anchor in the fog what sound signals do they use?
a. Rapidly ring a bell for 5 seconds because it is at anchor.
b. Rapidly ring a bell for 5 seconds and one prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts because it is both at anchor and a fishing boat.
c. one prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts because it is a fishing boat
d. Sound a gong.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Rule 15 only happens between two PDVs, because that's all that's described in that rule. However any type of vessel can be in a "crossing situation" - how else would you describe a situation where two vessels are converging from roughly perpendicular courses?

True, but if one of the crossing vessels is not a PDV, it must be one with higher status, and therefore is stand on regardless of which side it's on. Unless it's a sea plane, but they would have told you that. I don't think they're trying to be tricky, they're trying to make you really think about the questions. Even though in real life you don't have time to think about it.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Rule 15 only happens between two PDVs, because that's all that's described in that rule. However any type of vessel can be in a "crossing situation" - how else would you describe a situation where two vessels are converging from roughly perpendicular courses?

Well not "any type of vessel" can be in a "crossing situation" or a "head-on situation" as specifically only two power driven vessels can ever be in such situations.

Per Colregs there are:

Head on situations. Rule 14
Crossing situations. Rule 15
and
When underway, the Keep Out of the Way of situations. Rules 18, 16, 17 and 13

—INTERNATIONAL—
Steering and Sailing Rules

RULE 14
Head-on Situation

(a) 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 so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other
ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of
the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she
observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she
shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

RULE 15
Crossing Situation

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of
collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall
keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid
crossing ahead of the other vessel.

—INTERNATIONAL—
Steering and Sailing Rules
RULE 18
Responsibilities Between Vessels

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel.

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible,
keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
(d)
(i) Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver shall, if the circumstances of the
case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained
by her draft, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.
(ii) A vessel constrained by her draft shall navigate with particular
caution having full regard to her special condition.

RULE 16
Action by Give-way Vessel

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel
shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear

RULE 17
Action by Stand-on Vessel
(a)
(i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall
keep her course and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her
maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel
required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in
compliance with these Rules.
(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and
speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of
the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to
avoid collision.
(c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in
accordance with subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with
another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.
(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep
out of the way.

RULE 13
Overtaking

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I
and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the
vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with
another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that
is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at
night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither
of her sidelights.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she if overtaking another,
she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly. (d) Any
subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not
make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these
Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until
she is finally past and clear.

[capt jgw]

I also tell my students that the Rules exam has nothing to do about how you run your boat. It's all about how well you memorized the damn book. You could do everything the book tells you to and still fail the exam because you used incorrect words to describe the correct things you were doing.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Well not "any type of vessel" can be in a "crossing situation" or a "head-on situation" as specifically only two power driven vessels can ever be in such situations.

Per Colregs there are:

Head on situations. Rule 14
Crossing situations. Rule 15
and
When underway, the Keep Out of the Way of situations. Rules 18, 16, 17 and 13

—INTERNATIONAL—
Steering and Sailing Rules

RULE 14
Head-on Situation

(a) 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 so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other
ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of
the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she
observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she
shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

RULE 15
Crossing Situation

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of
collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall
keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid
crossing ahead of the other vessel.

—INTERNATIONAL—
Steering and Sailing Rules
RULE 18
Responsibilities Between Vessels

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel.

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible,
keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
(d)
(i) Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver shall, if the circumstances of the
case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained
by her draft, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.
(ii) A vessel constrained by her draft shall navigate with particular
caution having full regard to her special condition.

RULE 16
Action by Give-way Vessel

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel
shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear

RULE 17
Action by Stand-on Vessel
(a)
(i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall
keep her course and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her
maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel
required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in
compliance with these Rules.
(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and
speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of
the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to
avoid collision.
(c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in
accordance with subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with
another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.
(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep
out of the way.

RULE 13
Overtaking

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I
and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the
vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with
another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that
is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at
night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither
of her sidelights.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she if overtaking another,
she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly. (d) Any
subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not
make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these
Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until
she is finally past and clear.

Once again, the exam is about the words, not the actions. Of course two different types can be in a crossing or meeting situation IN REAL LIFE. But since the book only addresses PDV's, that's all that exists ON THE EXAM. That's the hardest thing for a student to get through their head.