Question 45 ONC03 - Master LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for B (One prolonged blast):** The situation described – a vessel nearing a bend or an area where other vessels may be obscured (such as leaving a berth or passing under a bridge) – is governed by the Rules of the Road (specifically, Rule 34 in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGS, and the corresponding Inland Rules). Rule 34(e) states that a vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound **one prolonged blast** (a prolonged blast is a blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration). This signal is meant to warn any approaching vessel that a vessel is rounding the bend or entering the obscured area. **Explanation of why other options are incorrect:** * **A) One short blast:** A single short blast (approximately 1 second) is used under both Inland and International rules to signify an action regarding course alteration: "I intend to leave you on my port side" (International and Inland when in sight). In Inland Waters, it can also signify "I intend to pass you on my port side." It is a maneuver signal, not an obstruction/warning signal for a bend. * **C) Two short blasts:** Two short blasts signify "I intend to leave you on my starboard side" (International and Inland when in sight). In Inland Waters, it can also signify "I intend to pass you on my starboard side." Like one short blast, it is a maneuver signal, not an appropriate signal for rounding an obscured bend. * **D) One long blast:** While "prolonged" and "long" are sometimes used interchangeably colloquially, the official terminology used in the COLREGS and Inland Rules for this specific warning situation is **prolonged blast** (4–6 seconds). The term "long blast" (often defined as 8–10 seconds or more) usually refers to the **fog signal** (Rule 35) given at intervals of not more than two minutes, not the maneuvering/warning signal for a bend.