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International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea IRPCS - Colregs Assessment Collision Regulations Exam Test yourself – online quiz RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster ICC / BSAC Seamanship Mouse click or Page Down to start
8th May 2010

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Extracts from Skysail Skills Charts on the essential navigation subjects
Day Skipper
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3. Day Skipper Colregs Quiz
The full text of IRPCS is here:
Before the detailed Yachtmaster Collision Regs questions, there is a short section on what you need to know for the RYA Day Skipper course.

4. Day Skipper – Colregs 1 Basic Rules
The rules apply anywhere on the sea or connected to it (subject to local by-laws).
Keep a good lookout at all times by all means available (sight, sound, radar).
Maintain a safe speed for the conditions: waves, hazards, tide, traffic, visibility, depth, manoeuvrability, background lights
The words 'Right of Way' do not occur in the rules. A ‘Stand on' vessel should maintain its course and speed until it is clear that the ‘Give way' vessel is not taking avoiding action. Then all vessels must keep clear.
Action taken to avoid a collision shall be positive, early and safe.
A risk of collision exists if a bearing by compass, radar or transit stays constant.
Navigate on the starboard side of a channel.
When crossing a shipping lane or traffic separation scheme, keep your heading at right angles to the traffic.

5. Day Skipper – Colregs 1 Special rules apply in fog:
There is no ‘Give Way’ vessel, everyone must keep clear.
If you hear any vessel ahead:
sound your signal
slow down but keep steerage way on
stop if necessary
navigate with extreme caution till danger is past.

6. Day Skipper - Colregs 2 General Rules for Priority:
1. Not Under Command 2. Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre 3. Constrained by Draught 4. Fishing 5. Sail 6. Motor (including motor sailing) Tugs are treated as motor vessels, unless they are also RAM or CBD
Exceptions to General Rules: Narrow channels Traffic Separation Schemes.
Overtaking boats keep clear - sail and power.
Sailing Rules
1. Starboard tack boat 2. Port tack boat Sailing boats on the same tack: Windward boat keeps clear.
Motoring Rules
Boats meeting head on - both turn to starboard.
If two power vessels are crossing, the boat which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way.

7. Day Skipper Colregs Quiz 3
What is the meaning of this day shape?
What are the rules concerning lookout?
Vessel at anchor
Keep a good lookout at all times by all possible means
What is the meaning of this flag ?
Do the words ‘Right of Way’ appear in the Rules? No
Diver down
Keep well clear at slow speed

8. Day Skipper Collision Regulations
Two motor boats meet head on, what action is required?
What is the meaning of this sign?
Head on: Turn to Starboard Keep to Starboard side of channel
Sailing vessel
Motor sailing
What is the meaning of this sign?
Two motor boats converge B A
Converging: Boat on right stands on
B goes behind, slows down or stops
Vessel fishing

9. Day Skipper Colregs 4 What action should each vessel take?
Two sailing boats on same tack
Two sailing boats on opposite tack
Wind A B B
Wind A
Windward boat B gives way
Port tack boat A gives way
One boat overtakes another
Overtaking Boat keeps clear

10. Day Skipper Colregs 5 give type of vessel, size and aspect
What vessel carries this light?
What vessel carries these lights?
Over 50m long
Motor vessel
Vessel at anchor
From ahead
Stern light - any vessel
Small craft
What vessel carries this light?
What vessel carries this light?
Motor vessel
Sailing Port side
Under 50m long
Starboard side

11. Yachtmaster Assessments
The RYA assessment requires that you achieve 80% in the Collision Regulations assessment.
You need to know all that follows in this test

12. Application - IRPCS Rule 1
Do the Collision Regulations apply on Lake Geneva?
No. This is not the high seas, or navigable water connected with the high seas

13. Responsibility – IRPCS Rule 2
Do the words ‘right of way’ appear in the collision regulations?
No.
It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid a collision, there is no exoneration.
There are ‘give way’ vessels and ‘stand on’ vessels.

14. General Definitions - Rule 3
Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing count as a sailing vessel or a power-driven vessel?
What is the definition of “under way”?
A power-driven vessel, it is being propelled by machinery
Underway: not anchored, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
Vessels ‘making way’ are moving through the water by power, sail or oars, but this is not defined in the IRPCS.

15. What do the colregs say about the maintenance of a look-out?
Look-out - IRPCS Rule 5
What do the colregs say about the maintenance of a look-out?
May this rule be relaxed by single handed sailors?
At all times, by all available means, including sight, sound, and radar if available. No

16. Safe Speed – IRPCS Rule 6 What is a safe speed?
At a safe speed a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision, and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
Consider:
Stopping and turning ability of your vessel
Visibility
Draught of your vessel and Depth of water
Weather
Sea State
Traffic
Hazards
Background lights at night

17. Risk of Collision - Rule 7
How do you determine that a risk of collision exists?
Take bearings of an approaching vessel.
If the bearings stay constant and the distance is closing there is a risk of collision.

18. Action to avoid Collision - Rule 8
What are the rules about action to avoid a collision?
Action should be early, in ample time.
Your action should obvious to another vessel.
At night, show another aspect of your lights.
Your action should be safe

19. Narrow Channels - Rule 9
What are the rules for any sailing vessel, and vessels less than 20m in length, in narrow channels?
They must not impede the passage of a vessel which can navigate safely only in the channel.

20. Traffic Separation Schemes – Colregs Rule 10
When you cross a Traffic Separation Scheme, do you make Heading or Ground Track at right angles to the lane?
Your heading should be as nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow.
This is the quickest route and shows the maximum aspect of your boat to vessels using the lane. Also you have the best view of traffic.
Tide
Ground track

21. Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12
When two sailing vessels on opposite tacks meet, which gives way to the other:
The vessel with the wind on the port side
(on port tack)
Wind
Port tack boat A gives way A B

22. Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12
When two sailing vessels on the same tack meet which gives way to the other:
The vessel to windward of the other
Windward boat B gives way
Wind B A

23. Sailing Vessels – Colregs Rule 12
A sailing vessel on port tack sees another sailing vessel ahead to windward but is not certain whether the other vessel is on port or starboard tack.
Does she: stand on or give way?
She gives way

24. Overtaking – Colregs Rule 13
When is a vessel overtaking?
A planing sailing dinghy is overtaking a motor cruiser.
Which keeps clear?
When it is approaching from an angle more than 22.5º abaft the beam of another vessel (ie in the arc of the stern light).
22.5º
Any overtaking vessel must keep clear

25. Overtaking - IRPCS Rule 13
What should you do if you are not sure you are overtaking?
Assume you are overtaking and act accordingly.
What happens if you change your course or speed to come out of the overtaking sector?
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.

26. Head-on Situation - Colregs Rule 14
When two power-driven vessels meet head on, what action should they take?
Both vessels alter course to starboard and make
a sound signal (1 short blast)

27. Crossing situation – IRPCS Rule 15
Two power-driven vessels are crossing. Who keeps clear, and what action should she take?
The vessel with the other on her starboard side. (At night, she could see a red light on the other vessel).
She must slow down, or alter course to starboard to clear the other vessel’s stern, and make a sound signal (1 short blast).

28. Action by give-way vessel - Rule 16
What kind of action should be taken by the vessel required to keep clear?
It should be
and
early, in ample time
substantial

29. Action by stand on vessel - Rule 17
What is the ‘stand-on’ vessel required to do?
What should the ‘stand on’ vessel do if a collision appears imminent
Maintain her course
and speed
Take action to avoid the collision

30. Responsibilities between vessels - Collision Regulations Rule 18
List the following in order of priority
Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre
Power driven vessel
Fishing vessel
Sailing vessel
Vessel Not Under Command
Vessel Constrained by Draught
Vessel Not Under Command 1 2 3 4 5 6
Vessel Restricted in Ability to Manœuvre
Vessel Constrained by Draught
Fishing vessel
Sailing vessel
Power vessel

31. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility – Colregs Rule 19
In restricted visibility what must all vessels ensure regarding their speed and means of propulsion?
A safe speed suitable for the prevailing circumstances.
Engines are ready for immediate manoeuvre.

32. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility - Rule 19
In restricted visibility, you hear the fog signal of vessel ahead of you. What must you do? 1 2 3 4
Sound your fog signal.
Reduce speed to the minimum while maintaining steerage way.
Stop if necessary.
Navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.

33. Collision Regulations – Under Way
Which vessels can you distinguish as either ‘under way’ or ‘making way’ at night?
Not Under Command
Restricted Ability to Manœuvre
Fishing
All other vessels can only be identified as ‘under way’ at night.

34. Collision Regulations: Under way/ Making Way
How do vessels at night indicate they are making way?
Not Under Command:
shows side and stern lights NB no steaming light at masthead.
Restricted Ability to Manœuvre, and Fishing:
show side lights, stern lights and masthead (steaming) lights.

35. Collision Regulations
Which vessels can only be distinguished as ‘under way’ at night?
Sail
Power
Constrained By Draught
Pilot
Define Tugs as ‘Towing’.

36. Definitions – IRPCS Rule 21
Match the lights listed to their arcs of visibility:
Masthead light, Sidelight, Stern light, All round light
360º
112.5º on each side of bow
112.5º on one side of bow only
67.5º on each side of stern
All-round light
Masthead light
Side light
Stern light (overtaking sector is 22.5 º aft of the beam)

37. Collision Regulations Rule 24
What lights are shown by a tug with:
length of tow 200m or less
length of tow greater than 200m?
One additional masthead light.
Yellow towing light at the stern
Two additional masthead lights
Yellow towing light at the stern

38. Collision Regulations Rule 24
What lights are shown by a vessel being towed?
Sidelights and a Sternlight
(Same as a sailing vessel, ie no power)

39. Fishing Vessels – Colregs Rule 26
At night, what lights are shown by a vessel engaged in trawling ?
What is its day shape?
All-round green over all-round white
Two cones, apex together

40. IRPCS Rule 26 All-round red over all round white
At night, what lights are shown by a vessel engaged in fishing, not trawling,?
If its gear extends more than 150m to the side, what additional light and shape must it show?
All-round red over all round white
All-round white light in the direction of the gear

41. IRPCS Rule 27
What lights are shown by a vessel not under command?
What day shape must it show?
Two all-round red lights
Two balls in a vertical line

42. What day shapes must it show?
Vessels not under command or restricted in ability to manoeuvre – Colregs Rule 27
What lights are shown by a vessel when it is restricted in its ability to manœuvre?
What day shapes must it show?
All-round red, white, red in a vertical line
Ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line
1 metre apart

43. IRPCS Rule 27
When a vessel is carrying out dredging, how does it indicate the safe side to pass?
The unsafe side?
Safe: two 360 º green lights vertical
Two vertical diamonds
Unsafe: two 360º red lights vertical
Two vertical balls

44. IRPCS Rule 27
What lights are shown by a vessel engaged in mine clearance?
What shapes by day?
Three all-round green lights, one at the masthead and one at the end of each yard
Three balls

45. Three all-round red lights
IRPCS Rule 28
What lights are shown by a vessel constrained by her draught?
What day shape?
Three all-round red lights
A cylinder
1m x 2m

46. Collision Regulations Rule 29
What lights are shown by a vessel on pilot duty?
What will the pilot vessel show by day?
What sound signals are made by a pilot vessel on duty
All-round white over all-round red
Flag ‘H’
Four short blasts (Morse ‘H’)

47. Collision Regulations Rule 30
What lights are shown by vessels less than 50m in length at anchor?
What shape by day?
What additional light is shown at anchor by a vessel > 50m long?
All-round white light forward
A ball forward
An all-round white light low down near the stern
> 50 m port aspect

48. Collision Regulations Rule 30
What lights are shown by vessels aground?
What day shape?
Anchor lights plus two vertical all-round red lights
Port side > 50m)
Three balls in a vertical line

49. Manœuvring and Warning Signals - Rule 34
When a vessel makes the following sound signals in good visibility what do they mean?
One short blast
Two short blasts
Three short blasts
Five or more short rapid blasts
I am altering course to starboard
I am altering course to port
I am operating astern propulsion
What are your intentions

50. Manœuvring and Warning Signals - Rule 34
What do the following signals mean when made between vessels in a narrow channel?
One long blast
Two long followed by one short blast
Two long followed by two short blasts
One long, one short, one long & one short
Vessels approaching blind bend (here I come sounding one)
I intend to overtake on your starboard side
I intend to overtake on your port side
‘Affirmative’ (by vessel being overtaken)

51. Manœuvring and Warning Signals – Colregs Rule 35
What sounds should the following vessels make in restricted visibility?
A vessel not under command
A vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre
A vessel constrained by draught
A fishing vessel
A sailing vessel
A tug
One long followed by two short blasts every 2 mins

52. Manœuvring and Warning Signals - Rule 35
What sounds should the following vessels make in restricted visibility?
Power vessel making way
Power driven vessel stopped, not making way
A vessel constrained by draught
A sailing vessel
A Pilot boat on duty
One long blast every 2 minutes
Two long blasts every 2 minutes
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
Four short blasts (in addition to one long blast for a motor vessel)

53. Manœuvring and Warning Signals – IRPCS Rule 35
In fog , you hear one long blast followed by three short. What is it?
In fog, you hear a bell rung rapidly for 5 seconds, then a gong, every minute. What is it?
A vessel under tow (last vessel in tow)
A vessel >100m long at anchor
Forward
Aft

54. Distress Signals - Rule 37
What are the International Distress signals?

55. More IRPCS Test Questions
In the questions that follow, give all possible information:
Type of vessel (NUC, RAM, CBD etc)
Power or sail
Under way or making way
Length
Aspect (starboard, port, stern, bow)
Length of tug and Length of tow
It can help to draw up a table like this, and complete all possible items
Vessel type
Power / sail
Length
Aspect
Underway Making way
Tug Tow

56. More IRPCS Test Questions
You see a single white light. What is it? (3 answers)
The stern light of another boat
An anchor light
A light shown by a vessel < 7m and < 7 knots eg a small motor boat or dinghy with a torch

57. More IRPCS Test Questions
When does a sailing vessel on starboard tack give way to another vessel?
When it is overtaking boat
When it is to windward of another boat on starboard tack
When it meets another vessel which is NUC, RAM, CBD, Fishing.
When it meets a motor vessel which can only navigate within a narrow channel, or in a Traffic Separation Scheme.

58. More Colregs Test Questions
What vessel shows the following lights?
> 50m long
Constrained by Draught
Under way
Motor vessel
Bow aspect

59. More IRPCS Test Questions
What vessel shows the following lights?
Vessel Not under command
Starboard aspect
Making way
Length not known

60. More Colregs Test Questions
What vessel shows the following lights?
Vessel Trawling
Stern aspect
Making way
Length not known

61. More Colregs Test Questions
What vessel shows the following lights?
Sailing Vessel
Under way
Starboard aspect
Length < 20m

62. More IRPCS Test Questions
What vessel shows the following lights?
Vessel at anchor
Starboard aspect
Length > 50m

63. More Collision Regs questions
What vessel carries these lights?
Vessel towing. Length over 50m. Port side. Tow less than 200 metres long
What vessel carries these lights?
Vessel towing, length under 50m. Starboard side
Tow over 200 metres long

64. More IRPCS Test Questions
What is meant by the following sound signals??
Motor vessel – stopped in restricted visibility
Additional warning – vessel anchored in restricted visibility
My engines are in astern propulsion
Pilot vessel – making way in fog
I intend to overtake to starboard
I intend to overtake to port
Affirmative

65. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Colregs, IRPCS
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea