Question 36 FCP01 - First Class Pilot

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Inland Rule 34(c) of the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules (33 CFR $\S 83.34$) governs signals for vessels being overtaken in a narrow channel or fairway. * The overtaking vessel initiates the passing maneuver by sounding a signal of intent (e.g., one short blast means "I intend to pass you on your starboard side"). * The vessel being overtaken must then indicate its agreement (or disagreement/doubt) and assist the safe passage. * **The signal used by the vessel being overtaken to indicate agreement to the passing maneuver is one short blast.** **Explanation for Options B, C, and D (Incorrect):** * **B) one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order:** This complex signal is the **Danger Signal** (Rule 34(d)) used when a vessel doubts whether sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision, or when the vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other vessel. It is not the signal for agreement. * **C) two prolonged blasts:** A prolonged blast (about 4 to 6 seconds) is the signal used when departing a dock or slip (Rule 34(g)) or by a power-driven vessel making way through the water when required to sound a restricted visibility signal (Rule 35). It is not the signal for agreement in this scenario. * **D) two prolonged followed by two short blasts:** This signal is the **general Inland signal of intent to pass on the port side** (Rule 34(c)(i)). While the overtaking vessel in the prompt used one short blast (starboard side), the signal $D$ is used by the overtaking vessel for the opposite passing maneuver, not by the overtaken vessel to indicate agreement. The signal of agreement is always one short blast (starboard side pass) or two short blasts (port side pass) depending on the initial signal from the overtaking vessel, and is a repetition of the passing signal. Since the overtaking vessel sounded one short blast (starboard pass), the overtaken vessel agrees with one short blast.