Canadian Boating Exam Practice Quiz

Which signal is used by an underway sailing vessel?

1. One prolonged plus two short blasts every two minutes

2. Prolonged blast every two minutes

3. Two short blasts

4. Five short blasts

The correct answer is: One prolonged plus two short blasts every two minutes

Sailing vessels have a variety of signals they can use to communicate with other vessels. The specific signal used by an underway sailing vessel to indicate its presence among other vessels is one prolonged plus two short blasts every two minutes. The prolonged blast every two minutes (Option B) is used by other types of vessels, such as power-driven vessels, when they are also underway. Thus, this option does not specifically indicate an underway sailing vessel. Two short blasts (Option C) are typically used to indicate the intentions of a power-driven vessel while operating within several kilometers of the shore. This signal would not be used by an underway sailing vessel. Five short blasts (Option D) are usually reserved for emergency signals. It is not a signal that would be used by an underway sailing vessel in the normal course of operations.