Practice question

Which shape indicates a vessel engaged in fishing according to the COLREGs?

  1. Two cones base to base
  2. Three shapes in a vertical line
  3. One cylinder
  4. triangle pointing upward

Answer: A — Two cones base to base

A vessel engaged in fishing is identified by day shapes that show two cones arranged along the vessel’s vertical centerline, with their bases touching in the middle. This two-cone signal is designed to be quickly recognizable at a distance and tells other mariners that fishing gear may be deployed or trailing from the vessel, so they should give it room and avoid crossing its path. The other shapes listed don’t correspond to the day signal for fishing under COLREGs, so they wouldn’t communicate that activity.

Practice more: COLREGs Rules of the Road Practice Test →