Rules of the Road
We recommend studying the Rules of the Road Exam by breaking it up by rules. First, download the schedule below and update with your own dates. Then start each rules sections.
Focus only on one day's worth of rules each day. You probably could cram through all of them in one day, but it is much better to let it build slowly while also building your other subjects (oceans, chart plot, generals, etc.). First go through the presentation and any other study materials that are provided for the day. There are many different options offered by Quizlet to study the set, but I recommend using "Learn" and under "Options" turning off "Written" and "Flash Cards". Keep "Multiple Choice" activated. I also recommend activating "Shuffle Terms". If there is a question which you do not know the answer to or keep getting it wrong, go back to the Prezi and identify what you may be misinterpreting. This is important for learning the material and not simply memorizing the question/answers.
After you are confident with this day's section, open the Cumulative Quizlet. This will let you review all of the questions up until this point.
Once you have gone through the 15 days of studying, you will be practicing full tests. Keep practicing full tests until you score above a 90% consistently. After every test, identify what questions you were consistently getting wrong and go back to those study days to focus on understanding the material.
Quizlet does not allow for images next to a multiple choice question. I recommend downloading or printing a copy of the diagrams which you will have on hand while practicing.
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Day 1 - Rules 1, 2, 3
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules.
Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
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COLREGS (international rules) applies on the High Seas and all navigable waterways unless other special rules apply. - This includes inland waterways of countries which do not have their own special rules
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US Inland (Inland) applies on US territorial waters shoreward of the Demarcation lines. It also includes Canadian waters on the Great Lakes so long as there is no conflict between the two sets of rules. - Some US territorial waters follow COLREGS (international) because they are outside of the Demarcation lines. example. some Alaskan waters. It is worth looking in the Annexes where the Demarcation lines re listed to recognize some of these areas.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
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A term the USCG likes with this rule is "exceptional circumstances". Here they are referring to situations outside of the rules where you would apply Rule 2. An example of an "exceptional circumstance" would be more than 2 vessels with a risk of collision. In these cases, you may deviate from the rules.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules.
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Read through these definitions and become familiar with the exact nature of each ter
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written. There are not many questions related to this, but it does help significantly with understanding the perspective of the rules.
Day 2 - Rules 4 - 8
Rule 4 is Application. This rule says that the rest of the rules in this section must be followed at any time. This means that rules 5 - 8 shall always be followed, even if there is restricted visibility.
Rule 5 is Lookout. Lookout is more of a concept than a position so addressing it is not done simply by having someone with "lookout duties. The concept of Lookout in the rules is that you must maintain a constant watch using all available means to identify if there is a risk of collision. This includes listening to sound signals, radio calls, and using electronic equipment. This concept also brings awareness to the limitations of some methods of identifying risk of collision including the RADAR.
Rule 6 is Safe Speed. Again, this is more of a concept than a set speed. You must take into account all factors which might influence your ability to avoid collision including maneuverability, weather, and background lights. If you are unable to avoid collision, you were not going a safe speed.
Rule 7 is Risk of Collision. Maintain your lookout so that you can identify if there is a risk of collision as early as possible. If you have a constant bearing but decreasing range, there is a risk of collision. If you are in doubt, assume there is a risk of collision. There may be a risk of collision even if there is a bearing change (it mentions large vessels or towing vessels with a large tow).
Rule 8 is Action to avoid collision. This rule stipulates what you must do when taking action to avoid collision. First, you must make sure that it is large (easy to see), early, and positive (it should make things better and not result in another risk of collision). Course changes are best because they are easy to see, but you can always slow down to give more time to assess. Avoid multiple course changes (leads to the dance of death). Monitor the situation after your action until they are well past and clear (nothing could result in a collision, even if they lost steering). This rule must be followed by all vessels (including both stand on and give way vessels).
Day 3 - Rules 11, 16 - 18
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 4 - Rules 12 - 15
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 5 - Rules 9 & 10
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 6 - Rule 19
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 7 - Rules 32 - 34
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 8 - Rules 35 - 37
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 9 - Rules 20 - 30 (Dayshapes)
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 10 - Rule 23 & Annex V
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 11 - Rule 24
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 12 - Rules 25, 29, 31
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 13 - Rule 26
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 14 - Rule 27
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Day 15 - Rules 28 & 30
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.
Full Exam
Rules 1, 2, and 3 basically set up the framework for the entire set of rules. Rule 1 outlines where the COLREGS (international rules) and the US Inland (Inland) apply.
Rule 2 is known as the "law of good seamanship". It was added because it is not possible to come up with every single situation which might exist in the future. This rule is applied to everything which is not mentioned outside of the rules. Essentially you must follow the rules in the book, but if experience and good seamanship dictate to do something else, do what is best in that case.
Rule 3 is definitions. This outlines the terms which will be used in these rules
I have also included an Introduction section. this is beneficial because it explains the format of the book and the history of the rules. Reviewing this prior to the rules is helpful with understanding the perspective of how the rules were written.