Question 13 GLI01 - Master-Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation of Option A (Correct Answer):** Option A, "Slow to minimum to maintain course and navigate with caution," is the correct action required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19(e), which governs the conduct of vessels navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility. Rule 19(e) mandates that if a vessel detects the presence of another vessel forward of the beam by sound signal (the fog signal) alone, it shall take immediate action to avoid collision. This action involves: 1. **Reducing speed to the minimum necessary** to maintain course. This is often referred to as 'bare steerageway'. 2. **Navigating with extreme caution** until the danger of collision is over. 3. **If necessary, taking all way off** (stopping engines). Option A accurately summarizes the initial required prudent action: reducing speed significantly while maintaining control and exercising caution. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **B) Slow to moderate speed and navigate with caution:** 'Moderate speed' is not the requirement. The Rule requires reducing speed to the *minimum* necessary (bare steerageway) or stopping completely if danger exists. Maintaining moderate speed is not sufficiently cautious in restricted visibility when a vessel is heard ahead. * **C) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** While stopping engines and taking all way off might be necessary if it is determined that collision cannot be avoided otherwise (per the latter part of Rule 19(e)), the initial and more general requirement is to reduce speed to bare steerageway. Simply stopping engines may leave the vessel drifting across traffic or unable to maneuver effectively. Option A provides the better initial comprehensive action. * **D) Maintain speed and sound five short and rapid blasts:** Maintaining speed is a clear violation of Rule 19(e), which requires reducing speed immediately. Sounding five short and rapid blasts is the danger/doubt signal (Rule 34(d)), used to indicate that the vessel is in doubt about the other vessel's intentions or actions. While you might use this signal, it does not replace the mandated action of reducing speed to bare steerageway.