PCOC Boating Test: Sound signals

All 15 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. Your 7 m boat is under way in fog. Which sound signal rule applies to you?

   1. Ring a bell every minute
   2. Sound five blasts each minute
   3. No signal at all; boats under 12 m are exempt
   4. Some efficient signal at most every 2 minutes

2. Which sound appliance must a vessel 12 m or longer carry?

   1. A siren
   2. A bell only
   3. A gong
   4. A whistle

3. How long is a 'short blast' on a horn or whistle?

   1. About 3 seconds
   2. About 10 seconds
   3. About 1 second
   4. 4 to 6 seconds

4. A ship sounds five or more short, rapid blasts at you. What does it mean?

   1. It doubts you are acting to avoid it
   2. It is about to anchor in the channel
   3. It is greeting you
   4. It is turning to port to let you pass

5. In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel making way through the water sound?

   1. 5 short blasts every 2 minutes
   2. 1 short blast every 30 seconds
   3. 2 prolonged blasts at most 2 minutes apart
   4. 1 prolonged blast at most 2 minutes apart

6. In fog you hear two prolonged blasts about every two minutes. What is the other vessel doing?

   1. Towing another vessel at reduced speed
   2. Making way through the water
   3. Under way but stopped, not making way
   4. Lying at anchor

7. How long is a 'prolonged blast'?

   1. 8 to 10 seconds
   2. 4 to 6 seconds
   3. About 1 second
   4. 2 to 3 seconds

8. On a Canadian lake, your 14 m power boat is leaving the dock. What signal must you give?

   1. Three short blasts
   2. No signal is required
   3. One prolonged blast
   4. Two short blasts

9. In fog, which signal does a sailing vessel sound?

   1. 1 prolonged blast every 2 minutes
   2. 2 prolonged blasts about 2 seconds apart
   3. 1 prolonged followed by 2 short blasts
   4. 4 short blasts

10. How often does a vessel at anchor in fog ring its bell rapidly for about 5 seconds?

    1. Every 5 minutes
    2. Only when it hears a boat
    3. Every 2 minutes
    4. At least every minute

11. On the coast, a power-driven ship in sight of you gives one short blast. What does it mean?

    1. I am altering my course to starboard
    2. I doubt your intentions
    3. I am altering my course to port
    4. I am operating astern propulsion

12. In the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean there?

    1. I am altering course to port
    2. I intend to leave you on my port side
    3. I am operating astern propulsion
    4. I will leave you on my starboard side

13. A power-driven vessel in sight of you gives two short blasts. What does it mean?

    1. I am altering my course to port
    2. I am at anchor
    3. I am altering my course to starboard
    4. I am operating astern propulsion

14. What do three short blasts from a power-driven vessel mean?

    1. I am at anchor
    2. I am turning to starboard
    3. I am operating astern propulsion
    4. I am in distress

15. You are approaching a blind bend in a narrow channel. What signal should you sound?

    1. Two short blasts
    2. One prolonged blast
    3. Five short blasts
    4. Three prolonged blasts