Distress signals quiz: 10 COLREG Annex IV and GMDSS questions

Question 1 of 10

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

AnswersATwo all-round red lights in a vertical lineBThe spoken word "SECURITE" by radiotelephonyCAn all-round flashing yellow lightDRockets or shells throwing red stars, fired one at a time at short intervals

Correct!Not quite. The answer is Rockets or shells throwing red stars, fired one at a time at short intervals.

Rockets or shells throwing red stars, fired one at a time at short intervals is a distress signal. Annex IV 1(c)

Question 2 of 10

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

AnswersATwo all-round red lights in a vertical lineBA smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smokeCOne prolonged blast every two minutesDThe spoken word "PAN-PAN" by radiotelephony

Correct!Not quite. The answer is A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke.

A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke is a distress signal. Annex IV 1(j)

Question 3 of 10

A vessel shows this signal. What does it mean?

AnswersAShe is in distress and requires assistanceBShe requires a pilotCKeep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficultyDShe is at anchor

Correct!Not quite. The answer is She is in distress and requires assistance.

The International Code signal of distress: flags N over C. Annex IV 1(f)

Question 4 of 10

A vessel shows this signal. What does it mean?

AnswersAShe requires a pilotBShe is in distress and requires assistanceCShe is at anchorDKeep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty

Correct!Not quite. The answer is She is in distress and requires assistance.

A square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. Annex IV 1(g)

Question 5 of 10

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

AnswersASignals transmitted by an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)BA blue light flashing at intervalsCThe spoken word "SECURITE" by radiotelephonyDA white parachute flare

Correct!Not quite. The answer is Signals transmitted by an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Signals transmitted by an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is a distress signal. Annex IV 1(n)

Question 6 of 10

You send a MAYDAY (distress) message by VHF after the DSC call. These four parts come one after the other. In which order?

A MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
B MAYDAY + name, call sign, MMSI
C THIS IS + name three times, call sign, MMSI
D Position

AnswersAA → B → C → DBC → A → B → DCC → A → D → BDA → C → B → D

Correct!Not quite. The answer is A → C → B → D.

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY → THIS IS + name three times, call sign, MMSI → MAYDAY + name, call sign, MMSI → Position. The distress call (MAYDAY ×3, THIS IS + name ×3, call sign, MMSI) is followed by the distress message: MAYDAY, name, call sign and MMSI, position, nature of distress, assistance required, persons on board and any other useful information – then OVER.

Question 7 of 10

A fire in the engine room is out of control and you are preparing to abandon ship. Which signal do you use on the radio?

AnswersAPAN-PAN – urgencyBMAYDAY – distressCSÉCURITÉ – safetyDMAYDAY RELAY

Correct!Not quite. The answer is MAYDAY – distress.

MAYDAY is used when the ship or a person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.

Question 8 of 10

Your ship is taking in water faster than the pumps can handle and is sinking. Which DSC category do you choose?

AnswersADistressBUrgencyCSafetyDRoutine

Correct!Not quite. The answer is Distress.

The DSC categories in falling priority are distress, urgency, safety and routine. Here it is distress. MAYDAY is used when the ship or a person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.

Question 9 of 10

Under Annex IV, the use of a distress signal for any other purpose than indicating distress and need of assistance is:

AnswersAProhibitedBAllowed if you call the coast station firstCAllowed in harbourDAllowed for training at sea

Correct!Not quite. The answer is Prohibited.

Annex IV 2: the use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with them is prohibited. (COLREG Annex IV 2)

Question 10 of 10

On which VHF channel is a DSC distress alert sent?

AnswersAChannel 6BChannel 16CChannel 13DChannel 70

Correct!Not quite. The answer is Channel 70.

VHF DSC uses channel 70. The voice distress traffic that follows is on channel 16. (GMDSS)

You have right out of answered.Ten of ten? The app draws every question new: other angles, other light, other wrong answers.

Distress signals and GMDSS quiz

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

A vessel shows this signal. What does it mean?

A vessel shows this signal. What does it mean?

Which of these signals indicates distress and need of assistance?

You send a MAYDAY (distress) message by VHF after the DSC call. These four parts come one after the other. In which order?

A fire in the engine room is out of control and you are preparing to abandon ship. Which signal do you use on the radio?

Your ship is taking in water faster than the pumps can handle and is sinking. Which DSC category do you choose?

Under Annex IV, the use of a distress signal for any other purpose than indicating distress and need of assistance is:

On which VHF channel is a DSC distress alert sent?

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