Rules of the Road · Distress Signals
Which of the following is NOT listed as a recognized distress signal in Annex IV?
- AOrange-colored smoke
- BA green star signal rocket✓ Correct
- CContinuous sounding of a fog-signalling apparatus
- DFlames on the vessel, such as from a burning tar barrel
Explanation
Green star signals are NOT among the Annex IV distress signals. Red rocket shells (paragraph 1(b)), red parachute or hand flares (paragraph 1(c)), orange smoke (paragraph 1(k)), continuous fog signals (paragraph 1(f)), and flames on the vessel (paragraph 1(e)) are all listed. Green is a signal used in special circumstances (e.g., customs) — not distress.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Annex IV, paragraph 1
Practice the full Rules of the Road bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Rules of the Road questions
- Distress Signals
Which of the following is a recognized distress signal listed in Annex IV of the COLREGS?
- Distress Signals
Firing a gun or other explosive at intervals of approximately 1 minute is recognized as a distress signal under which authority?
- Distress Signals
The International Code Signal of distress consists of which flag combination?
- Distress Signals
Which of the following is listed as a recognized distress signal in Annex IV of the COLREGS?
- Distress Signals
A vessel in distress can transmit the spoken word 'MAYDAY' by radiotelephony. This is authorized under which Annex IV provision?
- Distress Signals
Which signal in Annex IV is described as 'a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light'?