USCG Exam Rules of the Road Trick Questions

[Captain Graham]

Another one
You are towing an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object that is less than 25 meters in breadth.
What lights may you display on the object.
a. 2 all rounds yellow lights one in the front and one in the back.
b. 1 all-round white light at or near the forward end and one at or near the after end
c. 4 all round white lights at the 4 corners of the object.
d. direct a searchlight in the direction of the tow.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

What's not real world about the exam is the need to explain an action using the correct words.

Do you understand that a "power-driven vessel" does not cease being a "power-driven vessel" when it's drifting? But how can that be you ask - it's not being propelled by machinery? Because PDV means "any vessel propelled by machinery" - it doesn't specifically say "any vessel being propelled by machinery at that exact moment".

When a power-driven vessel goes to anchor it doesn't stop being a power-driven vessel. The nature of the vessel doesn't change just because it's at anchor. There is no special 'PDV at anchor' sound signal, so it falls under the omnibus 35(g) "a vessel at anchor..."

So if:

The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

If I'm anchored with a riding sail up - what type of vessel is it?
And what sound signal would I need in fog?

[Uricanejack]

For those of you who may be interested here is an actual UK Class 1 exam question. They don’t use multiple guess exams orals only.

You are Master of a power driven vessel, your are under way making way, you are in restricted visibility.

You observe, On your radar screen.

A target 2 points on your port bow. At the edge of screen.

A few minutes later target is observed 2 points on your port bow, one range ring closer.

A few minutes later target is observed 2 points on your port bow, one range ring closer.

That’s it there the question. Let’s hear your answers.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

This question shows now important it is to read the entire answer.
The correct answer is you need to have 2 all round lights one in the front and one in the back of the object.
So answer b is correct.
But if you just skim the answers you my think answer b is saying only 1 light.
Most students get this question wrong the first time.

It can get trickier than that. If the question asked what light MAY you use, the answer would be D. You MUST show a white light at either end, but you MAY use the searchlight.

I don't recall seeing this particular question on a real exam, but MUST/MAY appears often with a stand on vessel taking action to avoid collision, You MAY take action "as soon as it becomes apparent that the give way vessel is not taking appropriate action." You MUST take action "when action by the give way vessel alone will no longer prevent a collision." You really have to read the question as both answers are always there. It's on our exams, and we spend a lot of time on it. I once did some teaching for another school, they had this wrong on their practice tests. I couldn't convince the owner he was wrong. Not surprisingly, he got his approval pulled and is being prosecuted for defrauding the government.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

For those of you who may be interested here is an actual UK Class 1 exam question. They don’t use multiple guess exams orals only.

You are Master of a power driven vessel, your are under way making way, you are in restricted visibility.

You observe, On your radar screen.

A target 2 points on your port bow. At the edge of screen.

A few minutes later target is observed 2 points on your port bow, one range ring closer.

A few minutes later target is observed 2 points on your port bow, one range ring closer.

That’s it there the question. Let’s hear your answers.

Reduce speed to bare steerageway and be prepared to stop the vessel.

My question: on the oral exams, do they insist you use the exact language used in the Rules or is any language that sufficiently explains the actions sufficient? That would make it more "real world."

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Do you understand that a "power-driven vessel" does not cease being a "power-driven vessel" when it's drifting? But how can that be you ask - it's not being propelled by machinery? Because PDV means "any vessel propelled by machinery" - it doesn't specifically say "any vessel being propelled by machinery at that exact moment".

When a power-driven vessel goes to anchor it doesn't stop being a power-driven vessel. The nature of the vessel doesn't change just because it's at anchor. There is no special 'PDV at anchor' sound signal, so it falls under the omnibus 35(g) "a vessel at anchor..."

So if:

If I'm anchored with a riding sail up - what type of vessel is it?
And what sound signal would I need in fog?

A PDV "underway but not making way" is still underway. Specifically "not at anchor, aground, or moored." A (former) PDV at anchor is just a vessel at anchor, doesn't matter what it's normal propulsion mode is. The only distinction between anchored vessels is for different sound signals based on the vessel's length. Propulsion mode is not mentioned. That's why the anchor signals are done by bell, they can be sounded by any vessel whether it has steam or not. (Back when the Rules were first written all PDV's were steam powered, and steam powered the whistle. No steam, no whistle. Sailing vessels by definition have no steam.) The only vessels that retain their identity at anchor are fishing or RAM because being at anchor bears no relation to their activity.

Basically the status of a vessel relates to what is currently doing, not how it was built. A vessel could go through all the different categories in a day if it wanted to. leave the dock as PDV, raise the sals and shut off the engine, now a sailing vessel. Drag a net through the water, now a fishing vessel. Stop and do some dredging, now RAM. Stop dredging and drop your anchor, now anchored. Try to return to the dock but the engine breaks down, now NUC. All same vessel on the same day.

An anchored vessel with a riding sail is just anchored. Power and sail both use riding sails, normal propulsion mode is irrelevant. The sail is not propelling the boat, and the anchor is down. Same signal as any other anchored vessel, ring the bell for 5 seconds / one minute, add a gong if 100m or more in length.

[Uricanejack]

Officially no, a good working knowledge off, is the phrase they use.
Nice in theory, proving this, very rare.
In practice precision is required. Practical, safe, and
If Full complete and precise language is not used expect to end up down a deep rabbit hole trying to dig your way out.
You will end up having to explain the actual rules in precise detail from memory to an expert.

It’s not a trick question it’s a straight up routine practical situation. Almost all questions are, until you give a poor answer.
Then you can expect the really difficult ones. To see if you actually understand what you are talking about.

You need to give a quick fully detailed answer to each question.

Even at OOW level, one incorrect answer the exam ends.
You can screw up other areas. but general watch keeping collision regs, One Error in principle you are out the door.

Your answer, your are almost out the door. See the lady at the front desk. Booking being taken for next attempt 3 months down the road.

You will now have to explain in exact detail why you are taking the action you described.
Your chances of passing still exist but are very slim.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

I think Montana with his hint knows the right answer.


First you have to understand the terms used.

Fishing vessel is a vessel engaged in fishing.
Not sport fishing but real fishing with equipment that is out.

Normally a vessel at anchor means a vessel that is finished for the day and not engaged in anything.

So why would a fishing vessel engaged in fishing use an anchor?
It is using the anchor as a fishing tool to keep the vessel in the area of the fish.

So the answer is
c. one prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts because it is a fishing boat.

Rule 35
Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility
(c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver,
a vessel constrained by her draft, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and
a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals
prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more
than 2 minutes three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by
two short blasts.
(d) A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel restricted in her
ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor, shall instead of the
signals prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule sound the signal prescribed in
paragraph (c) of this Rule.

PS a sailboat also uses one prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts when in the fog.

Are these legitimate questions, or are you making them up for example??

The reason I ask is, it seems that the point you are making is that the semantics are very specific on the test. However, the verbiage is clearly defined in the Col Regs as well.

Rule 3
(a): The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and
seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(b). The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.

(c). The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being
used.

(d). The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.


So your example question states "Fishing Vessel" not "Vessel Engaged in Fishing". The former is a Type of vessel, not a declaration of activity.

To your same point, if the exam is about Col Reg's, then there is nothing in the Col Reg's referring to Fishing Vessel. Therefore, WTF???!!!!

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Officially no, a good working knowledge off, is the phrase they use.
Nice in theory, proving this, very rare.
In practice precision is required. Practical, safe, and
If Full complete and precise language is not used expect to end up down a deep rabbit hole trying to dig your way out.
You will end up having to explain the actual rules in precise detail from memory to an expert.

It’s not a trick question it’s a straight up routine practical situation. Almost all questions are, until you give a poor answer.
Then you can expect the really difficult ones. To see if you actually understand what you are talking about.

You need to give a quick fully detailed answer to each question.

Even at OOW level, one incorrect answer the exam ends.
You can screw up other areas. but general watch keeping collision regs, One Error in principle you are out the door.

Your answer, your are almost out the door. See the lady at the front desk. Booking being taken for next attempt 3 months down the road.

You will now have to explain in exact detail why you are taking the action you described.
Your chances of passing still exist but are very slim.

Reduce to bare stearageway is required any time a vessel is detected forward of the beam in restricted visibility. Going beyond that, alter course to starboard for a port to port passing.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Are these legitimate questions, or are you making them up for example??

The reason I ask is, it seems that the point you are making is that the semantics are very specific on the test. However, the verbiage is clearly defined in the Col Regs as well.

Rule 3
(a): The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and
seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(b). The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.

(c). The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being
used.

(d). The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.


So your example question states "Fishing Vessel" not "Vessel Engaged in Fishing". The former is a Type of vessel, not a declaration of activity.

To your same point, if the exam is about Col Reg's, then there is nothing in the Col Reg's referring to Fishing Vessel. Therefore, WTF???!!!!

The real CG question would likely use "vessel engaged in fishing." A practice test might use "fishing vessel." I don't recall seeing a real question where they said "fishing vessel" baiting a wrong answer, not saying there aren't any. That would indeed be a trick question. I don't think they're intentionally being tricky, they just insist on you using the correct language.

[Uricanejack]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

Reduce to bare stearageway is required any time a vessel is detected forward of the beam in restricted visibility. Going beyond that, alter course to starboard for a port to port passing.

Why would you do this?

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Why would you do this?

Gives more time to react. Should a collision occur it won't be as severe, but that's probably not the answer they want. And it's in the rules so you have to do it.

Rule 19 (e) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not
exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog
signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation
with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the
minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary
take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until
danger of collision is over.

and
Rule 19(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel
shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.
If it's really thick, that would be bare steerageway. Are you allowed to ask qualifying questions like how thick is the fog?

Alter course to stbd:
Rule 19 (d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel
shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of
collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided
that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible
the following shall be avoided:
(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other
than for a vessel being overtaken;
(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

An anchored vessel with a riding sail is just anchored. Power and sail both use riding sails, normal propulsion mode is irrelevant. The sail is not propelling the boat, and the anchor is down.

So you hold to some ridiculous definition that a vessel is only defined by what it's doing at the moment, except where it suits you. There's nowhere in the rules where it says the sail has to be propelling the boat for it to be considered a "sailing vessel." Read the definition:

The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

"Under sail", not "being propelled by sail".

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

Reduce to bare stearageway is required any time a vessel is detected forward of the beam in restricted visibility. Going beyond that, alter course to starboard for a port to port passing.

Go read rule 19

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Go read rule 19

I should have said "again!" But really look at it this time.