Question 40 MODU03 - Ballast Control Operator

The Correct Answer is C ### Explanation for why Option C is correct: The situation described—a vessel losing power and consequently losing navigation lights—is a serious safety hazard to navigation, but it does not represent an immediate threat to the life of the crew or the integrity of the vessel (which would be a Distress situation). This scenario requires transmitting an urgent warning about an important meteorological, hydrographical, or **other safety-of-navigation warning**. The VHF radio urgency signal used for these types of warnings is the **Safety Signal**, which is indicated by the spoken word **"Sécurité" (pronounced Security)** repeated three times. By transmitting "Security, Security, Security," the vessel alerts all other vessels that it is about to broadcast a critical safety message regarding its status (being dead in the water and unlit), allowing them to take necessary precautions. ### Explanation for why other options are incorrect: **A) Lights out, Lights out, Lights out:** This is not a recognized or standardized radio procedure or signal in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) or standard VHF marine communications protocols. **B) Mayday, Mayday, Mayday:** "Mayday" is the internationally recognized **Distress Signal**. It is used only when a vessel is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance (e.g., sinking, severe fire, medical emergency threatening life). Losing navigation lights, while dangerous, does not typically meet the threshold for grave and imminent danger requiring a distress call. Using Mayday inappropriately compromises the seriousness of the signal for vessels truly in distress. **D) Pan, Pan, Pan:** "Pan-Pan" is the internationally recognized **Urgency Signal**. It is used when the safety of the ship or a person is a matter of serious concern, but the danger is not grave and imminent enough to warrant a distress call (Mayday). While the situation is urgent (losing lights), the primary purpose of the resulting broadcast is to issue a **Safety Warning** to other vessels (a navigation hazard) rather than soliciting immediate aid for an urgent mechanical problem or medical issue. In standard maritime procedure, problems that constitute hazards to other navigation, like a disabled vessel or a vessel without required markings/lights, fall under the scope of the **Safety Signal (Security)**.