Maneuvering Signals (Intent vs Action) Practice Questions

1. Under the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules, a short blast on the whistle by a power-driven vessel means:

• A.I am altering my course to starboard
• B.I intend to leave you on my port side✓
• C.I am altering my course to port
• D.I intend to overtake you on your starboard side

Why: Under Inland Rule 34(a), one short blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side' — a signal of INTENT requiring agreement. This contrasts with 72 COLREGS Rule 34(a), where one short blast is a signal of ACTION meaning 'I am altering course to starboard.'

2. A vessel on inland waters signals one short blast to a meeting vessel. The other vessel must respond with:

• A.Two short blasts to reject the proposal
• B.One short blast to agree, or the danger signal to reject✓
• C.Three short blasts to indicate engines are in reverse
• D.One prolonged blast to indicate she is in a narrow channel

Why: Under Inland Rule 34(a), maneuvering signals are signals of intent. The vessel receiving the proposal must reply with the same signal to indicate agreement, or sound the danger signal (five or more short blasts) to indicate doubt or danger. No matching signal means no agreement.

3. Under the Inland Rules, the maneuvering signal system is fundamentally different from 72 COLREGS because:

• A.Inland vessels use light signals instead of sound signals
• B.Inland signals are signals of INTENT requiring agreement before the maneuver begins✓
• C.Inland signals are only used in restricted visibility
• D.Inland signals require VHF confirmation before use

Why: The core distinction: under 72 COLREGS, whistle signals announce an ACTION already under way. Under U.S. Inland Rules, whistle signals are proposals of INTENT — both vessels must exchange matching signals (agree) before executing the maneuver.

4. Under 72 COLREGS, can a vessel in a narrow channel signal its intent to overtake before passing?

• A.No — COLREGS Rule 34 has no provision for an overtaking signal in a narrow channel
• B.Yes — two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast✓
• C.Yes — two short blasts to indicate port-side overtaking
• D.Yes — one prolonged blast to request sea room

Why: 72 COLREGS Rule 34 does not include an overtaking-proposal signal for narrow channels. This is an Inland Rules feature under Rule 34(c), reflecting the greater traffic density on U.S. rivers.

5. A vessel on inland waters is about to alter course to starboard to avoid a vessel crossing on her starboard bow. She is in sight of the crossing vessel. Which signal does she sound?

• A.Two short blasts (Inland — intent to leave on starboard side)
• B.One short blast (Inland — intent to leave on port side)✓
• C.No signal — action signals are only for head-on meetings
• D.Three short blasts (engines going astern)

Why: Under Inland Rule 34(a), one short blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side.' Altering course to starboard moves the other vessel to the port side of the maneuvering vessel — so one short blast is the correct signal. This is a signal of intent requiring the other vessel's agreement.