General & Definitions Practice Questions

1. 72 COLREGS apply to vessels upon which waters?

• A.All vessels on the high seas and connected navigable waters✓
• B.Only vessels on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles
• C.Only vessels in international waters beyond 3 nautical miles
• D.All vessels on the high seas and in U.S. inland waters

Why: Rule 1(a) states the rules apply on the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels. This broad application covers coastal, port, and offshore waters unless a nation has established special inland rules for specific waters.

2. Under 72 COLREGS, which statement best describes the word 'vessel'?

• A.Any watercraft, including seaplanes and WIG craft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water✓
• B.Any ship or boat propelled by engine or sail over 7 meters in length
• C.Any ship or boat registered with a maritime authority and over 5 gross tons
• D.Any motorized watercraft navigating on the high seas

Why: Rule 3(a) defines 'vessel' as every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft, and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. There is no minimum size or propulsion requirement.

3. Under 72 COLREGS, a 'power-driven vessel' is defined as:

• A.Any vessel propelled by machinery✓
• B.Any vessel over 20 meters propelled by an engine
• C.A vessel propelled by machinery and not also under sail
• D.A vessel whose primary means of propulsion is an internal combustion engine

Why: Rule 3(b) defines a power-driven vessel simply as any vessel propelled by machinery. There is no size qualifier. Critically, a sailing vessel that is also using its engine is considered a power-driven vessel under Rule 25(e).

4. Under 72 COLREGS, a vessel 'constrained by her draft' is one that:

• A.Has less than 1 meter of underkeel clearance
• B.Because of her draft in relation to available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following✓
• C.Is drawing more than 10 meters and navigating in any channel
• D.Is drawing more than half the charted depth of the channel she is navigating

Why: Rule 3(h) gives a functional definition: the vessel's draft relative to the available navigable water leaves her severely restricted in ability to deviate from her course. No specific depth or draft number is prescribed — it is a situational judgment based on the specific waters.

5. Rule 2 of 72 COLREGS addresses responsibility. Which statement correctly reflects Rule 2?

• A.The rules must be followed exactly as written regardless of circumstances
• B.The owner and master are jointly liable for any collision regardless of compliance
• C.Departing from the rules is permitted to avoid immediate danger when strict compliance would increase the risk✓
• D.The stand-on vessel bears no responsibility once the give-way vessel has altered course

Why: Rule 2(b) — the 'general prudential rule' — allows departure from the rules when necessary to avoid immediate danger. This reflects that seamanship and good judgment must override mechanical rule-following in extremis. Neither vessel is absolved of responsibility simply because the other vessel is the give-way.