Question 13 GLI02 - Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Correct Answer):** Option A, "Slow to minimum to maintain course and navigate with caution," is the correct action required under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19 (Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility). Rule 19(e) states: "Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears, apparently forward of her beam, the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, **shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until the danger of collision is over.**" Reducing speed to the minimum necessary to maintain steerage (course) and navigating with caution aligns precisely with the legal requirement when a vessel's presence is detected ahead in restricted visibility. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **B) Slow to moderate speed and navigate with caution:** While reducing speed is required, "moderate speed" is too vague and generally implies a speed greater than the minimum required for steerage. The Rule mandates reducing speed to the *minimum* necessary, not just a moderate reduction. **C) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** While taking all way off (stopping) is permissible ("shall if necessary take all her way off"), it is not the *primary* required action. The primary requirement is to reduce speed to the *minimum necessary to maintain course*. Stopping completely might lead to loss of steerage and is only mandated if that minimum speed is still too fast to avoid danger. **D) Maintain speed and sound five short and rapid blasts:** Maintaining speed is a violation of Rule 19(e), which explicitly requires speed reduction. Sounding five short and rapid blasts (the danger or doubt signal) is used when a vessel doubts the intentions of another vessel or believes a danger exists, but it does not replace the mandatory action of slowing down in restricted visibility upon hearing a signal forward of the beam.