Question 43 ONC01 - Master/Chief Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for why Option A is correct:** Rule 33 (Equipment for sound signals) of both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the U.S. Inland Rules states requirements for the placement and operation of required sound signals. Specifically, regarding automated systems (such as those for the bell or whistle), both rules mandate that the equipment must be designed so that **manual operation is always possible**. If a vessel is required to carry a bell or gong (vessels 100 meters or more in length must carry both), the means for manually sounding them must be readily available even if an automatic system is installed. **Explanation for why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.** This is incorrect. While vessels under 12 meters do not need a mandatory whistle and bell/gong as specified for larger vessels, both International and Inland Rules require them to be provided with **some means of making an efficient sound signal**. (COLREGs/Inland Rule 33(a)(ii)). * **C) Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.** This is incorrect. A gong is only mandatory for vessels of **100 meters or more in length** (COLREGs/Inland Rule 33(a)(i)). Vessels between 12 and 100 meters must have a whistle and a bell. * **D) Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.** This is incorrect. Automatic sounding devices for the whistle (for maneuvering signals) and for the bell/gong (for fog signals) are permitted and commonly used, provided that the system allows for manual overriding and manual operation (Rule 33(b)).