Question 13 GLI06 - Master or Mate of LT 100 GRT

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A states: "Slow to minimum to maintain course and navigate with caution." This action is required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19(e), which governs the conduct of vessels navigating in restricted visibility (such as heavy fog). 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 a vessel the position of which is not ascertained, or which detects the presence of a vessel forward of her beam but does not ascertain whether a risk of collision exists, 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 danger of collision is over." Hearing a fog signal ahead of the vessel indicates the presence of another vessel whose position is not definitely ascertained, triggering the requirement to immediately reduce speed to the bare minimum necessary to maintain steerage and proceed with extreme caution. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **B) Slow to moderate speed and navigate with caution:** Rule 19 requires speed to be reduced to the *minimum* (or steerage) speed, not a moderate speed. A moderate speed is often too fast when a close-quarters situation is developing in restricted visibility. **C) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** While taking all way off (stopping engines) is a potential step mentioned in Rule 19(e) ("She shall if necessary take all her way off"), the primary, immediate requirement is to reduce speed to the *minimum to maintain course*. Stopping the engines completely might cause the vessel to lose steerage way and drift into danger, which is generally not the initial mandated action unless the risk is imminent or the vessel determines it is necessary to eliminate all movement. **D) Maintain speed and sound five short and rapid blasts:** Maintaining speed is a direct violation of Rule 19(e). Furthermore, sounding five short and rapid blasts is the danger signal used to indicate that the vessel is in doubt about the other vessel's intentions or actions, or that they believe the other vessel is taking insufficient action to avoid collision. This signal is used when the vessels are in sight of one another (Rule 34(d)), not typically when navigating solely by sound in restricted visibility.