Question 37 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is C ### Explanation for Option C (The vessel is altering course to port) Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 34 (Manoeuvring and Warning Signals), signals consisting of short blasts are used to indicate an action being taken. * One short blast (approximately 1 second): "I am altering my course to starboard." * **Two short blasts (••): "I am altering my course to port."** * Three short blasts (•••): "I am operating astern propulsion." Therefore, two short blasts signal that the vessel is currently executing a change of course to port. *** ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **A) The vessel will alter course to port** This phrase implies future *intent* ("will alter"). While the signal must be given *at the commencement* of the maneuver, under International Rules, the signals of one or two short blasts are declarations of the *action* being executed ("is altering"), not merely the plan to do so. Furthermore, one short blast, not two, is the signal related to altering course to starboard. **B) The vessel intends to pass starboard to starboard** While maneuvering signals are often used during passing, the signal for altering course to port (two short blasts) simply indicates the turn itself, regardless of whether it is part of a passing maneuver. Furthermore, this option focuses on *intent* for passing rather than the physical course change that the signal explicitly describes. **D) The vessel intends to alter course to port** Similar to Option A, this option focuses on *intent* rather than *action*. In International waters (COLREGs), the required signals of Rule 34 signify the maneuver is commencing or underway ("I am altering..."), making "is altering course to port" (Option C) the precise definition of the two-short-blast signal.