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Rules of the Road

Rule 28 — Constrained by Draft (lights)

Appears on 45% of examsDifficulty 3/535 drill questions

On the paperQ100 / Q30050 questions90% to pass, 5 wrong allowed

Authoritative sources#

Every answer on this topic traces back to the public rule corpus below.

COLREGs Rule 28COLREGs Rule 3

Source excerpts#

COLREGs Rule 28

Vessels Constrained by Their Draft A vessel constrained by her draft may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three allround red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder. Vessel constrained by her draft—underway – 50 meters or greater in length. Relationship to the Inland Rules: This rule has NO Inland counterpart — Inland Rule 28 is [Reserved]. It is International-only.

COLREGs Rule 3

General Definitions For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The word vessel includes every description of water craft, including nondisplacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (b) The term power-driven vessel means any vessel propelled by machinery. (c) The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. (d) The term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. (e) The word seaplane includes any aircraft

COLREGs Rule 3(a)

General Definitions (a) The word vessel includes every description of water craft, including nondisplacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 3 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.03 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

COLREGs Rule 3(c)

General Definitions (c) The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 3 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.03 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

COLREGs Rule 3(d)

General Definitions (d) The term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 3 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.03 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

COLREGs Rule 3(f)

General Definitions (f) The term vessel not under command means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 3 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.03 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

Practice this topic#

One real exam question on this topic, cited to source. No sign-up.

Rule 28 — Constrained by Draft (lights)

Under the International Rules, the term 'vessel constrained by her draft' applies only to which type of vessel?

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The full lesson covers this topic with citation popovers, and there are 35 drill questions behind it.

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