Question 12 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A **Why Option A is Correct:** This scenario involves navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility (indicated by hearing a fog signal) and detecting another vessel forward of the beam, which inherently introduces the risk of collision (Rule 19(d)). Rule 19 ("Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility") specifically dictates the actions required in such circumstances. 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 a 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." Therefore, the primary mandated action when risk of collision exists and a fog signal is heard forward of the beam is to reduce speed to bare steerageway, and **if necessary, take all way off**. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B (stop your engines):** While stopping the engines might be the only way to "take all way off," Rule 19 does not *mandate* that the engines must be stopped; it mandates taking all way off *if necessary*. A vessel might still have its engines running at bare minimum revolutions to maintain steerageway, unless a full stop is required. Therefore, stopping the engines is a possible means to achieve the required action (A), but it is not the explicit mandatory action itself. * **Option C (begin a radar plot):** Rule 7(b) and Rule 19(d) strongly emphasize the proper use of radar (including plotting) to obtain an early warning of risk of collision, especially in restricted visibility. However, radar plotting (a monitoring action) must be initiated *before* or *immediately upon* hearing a fog signal forward of the beam. Once the risk is confirmed by hearing the signal forward of the beam, the immediate operational requirement shifts to the speed reduction/stopping actions detailed in Rule 19(e). While plotting is required for safety, it is the speed reduction (A) that is the mandated physical action to mitigate the immediate danger once the signal is heard. * **Option D (All of the above):** Since options B and C are not the *primary required action* dictated by Rule 19(e) under these specific circumstances, "All of the above" is incorrect.