Steering & Sailing Rules Practice Questions

1. Two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision. Vessel A has the wind on her port side. Vessel B has the wind on her starboard side. Which vessel is the give-way vessel?

• A.Vessel A, because she has the wind on the port side✓
• B.Vessel B, because she has the wind on the starboard side
• C.The vessel that is more close-hauled
• D.The vessel to leeward

Why: Rule 12(a)(i) states that when each sailing vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way. Vessel A has the wind on port; she gives way. The close-hauled state and leeward position are irrelevant to this specific sub-rule.

2. Under Rule 13, a vessel is overtaking another when she is approaching from a direction more than how many degrees abaft the beam of the vessel being overtaken?

• A.30 degrees abaft the beam
• B.45 degrees abaft the beam
• C.22.5 degrees abaft the beam✓
• D.60 degrees abaft the beam

Why: Rule 13(b) defines the overtaking sector as more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam — the same arc covered by the stern light. If you can see only the stern light of the vessel ahead, you are in the overtaking sector and must keep clear regardless of what other rules might otherwise apply.

3. Under Rule 14(b), a head-on situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees another vessel ahead and:

• A.The other vessel's masthead lights are in line and her range lights can be seen
• B.At night, she can see the masthead lights of the other vessel in a line or nearly in a line, or both sidelights✓
• C.The bearing to the other vessel does not change over a 3-minute period
• D.Both vessels are on courses within 10 degrees of each other

Why: Rule 14(b) specifies the visual indicators of a head-on situation at night: masthead lights in line (or nearly in line) and/or both sidelights visible. This is the practical way mariners identify the head-on meeting without requiring precise course comparison.

4. Rule 15 adds that, where possible, the give-way vessel in a crossing situation shall avoid:

• A.Reducing speed, which could confuse the stand-on vessel
• B.Crossing ahead of the other vessel✓
• C.Altering course to starboard when the other vessel is on her starboard side
• D.Sounding any signal that could be misinterpreted

Why: Rule 15 states that the give-way vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Passing astern is the preferred maneuver; crossing ahead risks collision if the give-way vessel underestimates the closing speed or the stand-on vessel maintains speed.

5. Rule 17(a)(ii) permits the stand-on vessel to take action when:

• A.The CPA drops below 1 nautical mile
• B.It becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action✓
• C.The give-way vessel sounds the doubt signal of five short blasts
• D.The stand-on vessel's officer of the watch judges the situation to be unsafe

Why: Rule 17(a)(ii) allows the stand-on vessel to act when it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is NOT taking appropriate action. This is a permission, not a requirement at that stage. The stand-on vessel should not act prematurely but should not wait until collision is inevitable.