Canadian Boating Practice Exam

What does one short blast on the Great Lakes signify?

1. You are turning right

2. You are turning left

3. You want to pass on my port side

4. You are stopping

The correct answer is: You want to pass on my port side

One short blast on the Great Lakes signifies that you want to pass on the port (left) side of another vessel. A short blast is typically used as a warning signal to communicate your intentions to other vessels in order to avoid collisions. This option is correct because it aligns with the nautical "rules of the road" which dictate that when two vessels are approaching each other, the vessel on the starboard (right) side should maintain its course and speed, while the vessel on the port (left) side should yield and pass behind the other vessel. This signal would not signify turning right (A) or left (B) as those signals would be one long and one short blast respectively. Additionally, one short blast is not a signal for stopping (D) as this would require a longer blast or a series of short blasts. This option also does not align with the "rules of the