Irpcs Colregs Test

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IRPCS - Colregs Assessment Collision

Regulations Exam
Test yourself online

RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster
International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea
2008 WWW.SKYSAILTRAINING.CO.UK
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Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs
IRPCS
Training
Before the detailed Collision Regs examples, there is a short section on what you
need to know for the RYA Day Skipper course.
The full text of IRPCS is here:

http://www.btinternet.com/~keith.bater/irpcs_colregs_complete.htm
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Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs 1
IRPCS
Training
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.
3 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
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.

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

power.
5 of 63
Skysail

What is the meaning
of this sign?
Vessel at anchor
What is the meaning

of this flag ?
Diver down
IRPCS
Training
What are the rules

concerning lookout?
Keep a good lookout at

all times by all possible
means
Do the words Right of
Way appear in the
Rules?
No
Keep well clear at slow speed

6 of 63
Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs

What is the meaning
of this sign?
Sailing vessel
Motor sailing
What is the meaning
of this sign?
Vessel fishing
IRPCS
Training
Two motor boats meet head

on, what action is required?
Head on:
Turn to Starboard
Keep to Starboard side of
channel
Two motor boats

converge
Converging:
Boat on right stands on
B goes behind, slows
down or stops
B
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Skysail
IRPCS
What action should each vessel take?

Two sailing boats
on same tack
Training
Two sailing boats

on opposite tack
Wind
Wind
Windward
boat B
gives way
Port tack boat A

gives way
One boat
overtakes another
Overtaking Boat keeps clear
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Skysail
IRPCS
Training
give type of vessel, size and aspect

What vessel carries
these lights?
Over 50m long

Motor vessel
From ahead
What vessel carries
this light?
Sailing
Port side
What vessel carries

this light?
Vessel at anchor
Stern light - any vessel
Small craft
What vessel carries this light?
Motor vessel
Under 50m long
Starboard side
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Skysail
Yachtmaster Assessments
IRPCS
Training
The RYA assessment requires that you achieve 80% in

the Colregs assessment.
You need to know all that follows in this test
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Skysail
Application - Rule 1
IRPCS
Training
Do the Rules apply on Lake Geneva?
No, this is not navigable water connected

with the high seas
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Skysail
Responsibility Rule 2
IRPCS
Training
Do the words right of way appear in the regulations?
No.
It is everyones responsibility to avoid a
collision.
There are give way vessels and stand on
vessels.
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Skysail
General Definitions - Rule 3
IRPCS
Training
Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing

count as a sailing vessel or a power-driven
vessel?
A power-driven vessel.
What is the definition of under way?

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.
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Skysail
Look-out - Rule 5
IRPCS
Training
What do the rules say about the

maintenance of a look-out?
At all times, by all available means,
including sight, sound, and radar if available.
May this rule be relaxed by single

handed sailors?
No
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Skysail
Safe Speed - Rule 6
IRPCS
Training
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
Consider:
conditions.
1. Stopping and turning ability of
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
your vessel
Visibility
Draught of your vessel and Depth
of water
Weather
Sea State
Traffic
Hazards
Background lights at night
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Skysail
Risk of Collision - Rule 7
IRPCS
Training
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.
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Skysail
Action to avoid Collision - Rule 8IRPCS
Training
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
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Skysail
Narrow Channels - Rule 9
IRPCS
Training
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.
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Skysail
Traffic Separation Schemes - Rule 10IRPCS
Training
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 nearlyGround
as practicable at right angles to track
the traffic flow.
Tide
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.
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Skysail
Sailing Vessels - Rule 12
IRPCS
Training
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
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Skysail
IRPCS
Training
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
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Skysail
IRPCS
Training
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
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Skysail
Overtaking - Rule 13
IRPCS
Training
When is a vessel overtaking?
When it is approaching from an angle

more than 22.5 abaft the beam of
another vessel
22.5
(ie in the arc of the stern light).

A planing sailing dinghy is overtaking a motor cruiser.
Which keeps clear?
Any overtaking vessel must keep clear

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Skysail
Overtaking - Rule 13
IRPCS
Training
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.
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Skysail
Head-on Situation - Rule 14
IRPCS
Training
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)
25 of 63
Skysail
Crossing situation - Rule 15
IRPCS
Training
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 vessels stern, and make a sound signal
(1 short blast).
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Action by give-way vessel - RuleIRPCS

16
Skysail
Training
What kind of action should be taken by the vessel required to keep clear?
It should be
and
early, in ample time

substantial
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Action by stand on vessel - RuleIRPCS

17
Skysail
Training
What is the stand-on vessel required to do?
Maintain her course and speed
What should the stand on vessel do if a collision appears imminent
Take action to avoid the collision
28 of 63
Skysail
Responsibilities between
vessels - Rule 18
IRPCS
Training
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
1
Vessel Not Under Command
Vessel Restricted in Ability to Manuvre
Vessel Constrained by Draught
Fishing vessel
Sailing vessel
Power vessel
29 of 63
Skysail
Conduct of vessels in
restricted visibility - Rule 19
IRPCS
Training
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.
30 of 63
Skysail
Conduct of vessels in
restricted visibility - Rule 19
IRPCS
Training
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
31 of 63
collision is over.
Skysail
Rule
IRPCS
Training
Which vessels can you distinguish as

either under way or making way at
night?
1.
2.
3.
Not Under Command

Restricted Ability to Manuvre
Fishing
All other vessels can only be identified as

under way at night.
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Skysail
Rule
IRPCS
Training
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 Manuvre, and Fishing:

show side lights, stern lights and masthead
(steaming) lights.
33 of 63
Skysail
Rule
IRPCS
Training
Which vessels can only be distinguished

as under way at night?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sail
Power
Constrained By Draught
Pilot
Define Tugs as Towing.
34 of 63
Skysail
Definitions - Rule 21
IRPCS
Training
Match the lights listed to their arcs of

visibility:
Masthead light, Sidelight, Stern light, All
round light
360
All-round light
112.5 on each side of bow Masthead light
112.5 on one side of bow only Side light
67.5 on each side of stern
Stern light
(overtaking sector is
22.5 aft of the beam)
35 of 63
Skysail
Rule 24
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights are shown by a tug

with:
length of tow 200m or less
One additional masthead light.

Yellow towing light at the stern
length of tow greater than 200m?
Two additional masthead lights

Yellow towing light at the stern
36 of 63
Skysail
Rule 24
IRPCS
Training
What lights are shown by a vessel

being towed?
Sidelights and a Sternlight
(Same as a sailing vessel, ie no power)
37 of 63
Skysail
Fishing Vessels - Rule 26
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights must a vessel engaged in trawling show at

night?
What All-round
shape must itgreen
show by
day?all-round
over
white
Two cones, apex together
38 of 63
Skysail
Rule 26
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights must a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling show at night?
When its gear extends more than 150m to the side what further additional light and shape must it show?
All-round red over all round white
All-round white light in the direction of the gear
39 of 63
Skysail
Rule 27
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights are shown by a

vessel not under command?
Two all-round red lights
What shape does it show by day?
Two balls in a vertical line
40 of 63
Vessels not under command or

restricted in ability to
manoeuvre - Rule 27
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights are shown by a vessel

restricted in its ability to manuvre?
All-round red, white, red in a vertical line
What shapes does it show by day?
Ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line
1 metre
apart
41 of 63
Skysail
Rule 27
IRPCS
Training
What lights and shapes are shown by a

vessel engaged in dredging or
underwater operations to show which
side to pass?
Unsafe: two 360 red lights vertical
Two balls vertically
The safe side?
Safe: two 360 green lights vertical
Two diamonds vertical
42 of 63
Skysail
Rule 27
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights are shown by a minesweeper at work?
What shapes by day?
Three all-round green lights, one

at the masthead and one at the
end of each yard
Three balls located as above
43 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Rule 28
Training
What additional lights are shown by a

vessel constrained by her draught?
Three all-round red lights

What shape is shown by day?
A cylinder
1m x 2m
44 of 63
Skysail
Rule 29
IRPCS
Training
What additional lights are shown by a vessel on pilot

duty?
All-round white over all-round red
What will the pilot vessel

show by day?
WhatFlag
soundH
signals are made by a pilot vessel on duty
Four short blasts (Morse H)

45 of 63
Skysail
Rule 30
IRPCS
Training
What lights are shown by vessels less than 50m in length at anchor?
What shape by day?
All-round white light forward

What additional light is shown at anchor by a
vessel > 50m long?
A ball forward
An all-round white light low down near the stern

> 50 m port aspect
46 of 63
Skysail
Rule 30
IRPCS
Training
What lights are shown by vessels

aground?
Anchor lights plus two vertical all-round red lights
Port side > 50m)
What shape by day?

Three balls in a vertical line
47 of 63
Skysail
Manuvring and Warning

Signals - Rule 34
IRPCS
Training
When a vessel makes the following sound

signals in good visibility what do they mean?
One short blast
I am altering course to starboard

Two short blasts
I am altering course to port
Three short blasts
I am operating astern propulsion
Five or more short rapid blasts
What are your intentions
48 of 63
Skysail

Signals - Rule 34
IRPCS
Training
What do the following signals mean when made

between vessels in a narrow channel?
One long blast
Vessels approaching blind bend (here I come sounding one)
Two long followed by one short blast
I intend to overtake on your starboard side
Two long followed by two short blasts
I intend
overtake
on your
portshort
side
One long,
one to
short,
one long
& one
Affirmative (by vessel being overtaken)
49 of 63
Skysail

Signals - Rule 35
What sounds should the following
vessels make in restricted visibility?
IRPCS
Training
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

50 of 63
Skysail

Signals - Rule 35
IRPCS
Training
What sounds should the following vessels

make in restricted visibility?
Power vessel making way
One long blast every 2 minutes
Power driven vessel stopped, not making way
Two long blasts every 2 minutes
A vessel constrained by draught
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
A sailing vessel
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
A Pilot boat on duty
Four short blasts
(in addition to one long blast for a motor vessel)
51 of 63

Signals - Rule 35
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
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)
Forward
Aft
A vessel >100m long at anchor

52 of 63
Skysail
Distress Signals - Rule 37
IRPCS
Training
What are the International Distress signals?

International Distress Signals
The spoken word
MAYDAY sent by
radiotelephony
Morse S O S by
radio or any other
signalling method
Rockets or shells
throwing
red stars
at short
intervals
SART
Search & Rescue Radar
Transponder
Wave outstretched
arms slowly up and
down
Red Parachute
or Hand Flare
Gun or noise at
1 minute intervals
Continuous sound
with fog signal
Code Flags
N and C
A Square
Shape above
or below a
Ball Shape
Radiotelegraph
Alarm signal / DSC
Radiotelephone
Alarm Signal / DSC
Orange Smoke
Flames or Smoke
EPIRB
Emergency
Position
Indicating
Radio
Beacon
Dye Marker
53 of 63
Skysail
More IRPCS Test Questions
IRPCS
Training
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
54 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
You see a single white light.

What is it? (3 answers)
1. The stern light of another boat
2. An anchor light
3. A light shown by a vessel < 7m and < 7 knots
eg a small motor boat or dinghy with a torch
55 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
When does a sailing vessel on

starboard tack give way to another
vessel?
1.
When it is overtaking boat
2.
When it is to windward of another boat on starboard tack
3.
When it meets another vessel which is NUC, RAM, CBD,

Fishing.
4.
When it meets a motor vessel which can only navigate

within a narrow channel, or in a Traffic Separation
Scheme.
56 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
What vessel shows the following lights?

> 50m long
Constrained
by Draught
Motor vessel
Under way
Bow aspect
57 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training

Vessel
Not under command
Starboard aspect
Making way
Length not known
58 of 63
Skysail
More Colregs Test Questions
IRPCS
Training

Vessel Trawling
Stern aspect
Making way
Length not known
59 of 63
Skysail
More Colregs Test Questions
IRPCS
Training

Sailing Vessel
Under way
Starboard aspect
Length < 20m
60 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training

Vessel at anchor
Starboard aspect
Length > 50m
61 of 63
Skysail
More Collision Regs questions
IRPCS
Training
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
62 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
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
63 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
Colregs, IRPCS,
International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea
64 of 63

Irpcs Colregs Test

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Irpcs Colregs Test

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for more tests on Weather and CEVNI, and to

IRPCS - Colregs Assessment Collision

Test yourself online

Mouse click or Page Down to start

Day Skipper Colregs

The full text of IRPCS is here:

Day Skipper Colregs 1

The rules apply anywhere on the sea or connected to it (subject to local

Day Skipper Colregs 1

Special rules apply in fog:

sound your signal

slow down but keep steerage way on

navigate with extreme caution till danger is past.

Day Skipper - Colregs 2

General Rules for Priority:

1. Not Under Command

1. Starboard tack boat

2. Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre

2. Port tack boat

Sailing boats on the same tack:

Windward boat keeps clear.

6. Motor (including motor sailing) Tugs

Boats meeting head on - both turn

are treated as motor vessels, unless

they are also RAM or CBD

If two power vessels are crossing,

Exceptions to General Rules:

the boat which has the other on her

own starboard side shall keep out

Traffic Separation Schemes.

Overtaking boats keep clear - sail and

Day Skipper Colregs 3

What is the meaning

What are the rules

Keep a good lookout at

Keep well clear at slow speed

Day Skipper Colregs

Two motor boats meet head

Two motor boats

Day Skipper Colregs 4

What action should each vessel take?

Two sailing boats

Port tack boat A

Overtaking Boat keeps clear

Day Skipper Colregs 5

give type of vessel, size and aspect

Over 50m long

What vessel carries

The RYA assessment requires that you achieve 80% in

Do the Rules apply on Lake Geneva?

No, this is not navigable water connected

Do the words right of way appear in the regulations?

General Definitions - Rule 3

Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing

What is the definition of under way?

What do the rules say about the

May this rule be relaxed by single

Safe Speed - Rule 6

What is a safe speed?

Risk of Collision - Rule 7

How do you determine that a risk of

Action to avoid Collision - Rule 8IRPCS

What are the rules about action to