United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

The international rules of the road apply to which waters?

1. All waters which are not inland waters

2. Only to waters outside the territorial waters of the United States

3. Only to waters where foreign vessels travel

4. Upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

The correct answer is: Upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

The correct choice is that the international rules of the road apply upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels. This is grounded in the fact that these rules, formally known as the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), are designed to ensure safe navigation and avoid maritime accidents between vessels from different countries on international waters. The high seas are defined as all parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of a state. The connection to navigable waters means that any significant body of water used by seagoing vessels, which can include certain channels, straits, and other waterways, falls under these regulations. The intention is to provide a consistent framework for vessels to follow, regardless of their flag state, thus enhancing safety and coordination on the world's oceans. The other options are misleading, as the rules are not limited to either only non-inland waters or areas outside the U.S. territorial waters. They also encompass areas where only foreign vessels are present, as the rules are meant to apply to all vessels at sea, not just those flying the flag of a particular nation.