Question 38 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A Option A ("I am altering course to port") is correct because, under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) Rule 34(a)(i) concerning maneuvering and warning signals: * **One short blast** means "I am altering my course to starboard." * **Two short blasts** mean "I am altering my course to port." * **Three short blasts** mean "I am operating astern propulsion." Since the vessels are meeting, this is a maneuvering situation, and two short blasts precisely convey the immediate action of altering course to port. Here is why the other options are incorrect: * **Option B ("I desire to pass starboard to starboard") is incorrect.** In the International Rules, intentions for passing are not signaled using two blasts. When vessels are in sight of one another, the signals (one, two, or three short blasts) indicate the **action being taken** (altering course to starboard, altering course to port, or operating astern propulsion), not a desire for a specific passing arrangement. * **Option C ("I desire to pass port-to-port") is incorrect.** Similar to option B, a two-blast signal indicates the immediate action of altering course to port, not a desire for a port-to-port passing arrangement. A port-to-port passing (assuming the default maneuver for head-on situations) is typically achieved by each vessel giving one short blast (altering course to starboard). * **Option D ("I intend to alter course to port") is incorrect.** While it seems close, the correct COLREGs terminology for the International Rules is "I am altering my course," indicating that the maneuver is currently being executed, rather than simply stating a future intention (which is the phrasing used in the US Inland Rules, but specifically excluded here by the "INTERNATIONAL ONLY" header).