Section outline

  • This section is not required for the COLREGS exam. It is intended as a means to organize information on shapes, lights, and sounds so it will be easier to remember.

    In the pages below you will see a step-by-step guide for how I would construct a cheat sheet for shapes, lights, and sounds from the COLREGS. This is my diagram.... yours can be different. 

    Note: my diagram is not comprehensive. Several shapes and lights are not there. For example, I have not included "mine clearance". I don't expect we will see those signals in our area. But, if you plan to cruise some place like the Persian Gulf you might want to know those signals. 

    Similarly there are "add on signals" for fishing, e.g., gear extending out from one side of the vessel. For most of our activities it should be enough to know we (in a power-driven vessel) have to stay well clear of vessels engaged in fishing. So I didn't get fancy with those additional shapes and lights. 

    Note: do not presume that only signals that are on my diagram will be on the exam. The probability is low that some additional signals will be there, but it is not zero.  

    Anyway, I recommend the following:

    1. You devise a one-sheet summary of the shapes, lights, and sounds you think are important. If you have concerns about the one I devised, develop your own. 

    2. Then you should draw it out several times. Once or twice at the beginning using some reference to get it right. Then a few more times on your own so you know you can get it right from memory.

    3. You should draw it once or twice the day of or the day before the exam.... to re-check that you can still do it. 

    4. Soon after you start your exam, draw out your diagram on a blank sheet. Even if you initially have to leave some blanks, draw as much as you can early. As the hour goes by, you might be able to fill in the blanks. Indeed, some questions on the exam might trigger your memory on some you have forgotten. 

    If anyone has other suggestions to help remember all this "memorization work", I would be happy to have your suggestions.