Question 50 ONC02 - Second Mate/Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for Option B (A vessel is in distress) being correct:** According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS Rule 35, related to sound signals in restricted visibility) and standard maritime practice, the continuous sounding of a fog whistle (or any appropriate signaling apparatus) is the designated international distress signal by sound, used specifically when a vessel is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. This signal is internationally recognized under Rule 37 (Distress Signals). **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) A request that the draw span of a bridge to be opened:** Requests for bridge openings are typically made using specific short and prolonged blasts of the whistle, often one prolonged blast followed by one short blast, depending on local rules, but not a continuous blast. * **C) That the vessel is anchored:** A vessel anchored in fog is required to sound the appropriate anchor signal—rapid ringing of the bell for 5 seconds every minute, possibly supplemented by a prolonged blast followed by a short blast followed by another short blast on the whistle (COLREGS Rule 35(g)). A continuous sounding is not the anchoring signal. * **D) A vessel is broken down and drifting:** While a vessel that is broken down and drifting may be in distress, the sound signal associated with "restricted visibility" for a vessel that is stopped or dead in the water (not anchored) is two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes (COLREGS Rule 35(e)). The *continuous* sounding is reserved for distress.