Question 12 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A ### Why option A ("take all way off, if necessary") is correct: This question is based on Rule 19(e) of the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), which governs the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. Rule 19(e) states that any vessel hearing a fog signal forward of her beam, where a risk of collision may exist, *shall reduce her speed to a minimum at which she can be kept on her course.* Furthermore, the rule explicitly mandates: **"She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over."** Taking all way off (stopping forward motion) is the specific, mandatory, ultimate action required by the Rule if simply reducing to steerage speed is insufficient to assess or avoid the danger. ### Why the other options are incorrect: **B) stop your engines:** While you will often stop or reverse engines to take all way off, the Rule requires the vessel to reduce or stop its *forward motion* (way). Simply stopping the engines might not immediately take all way off, and sometimes the engines may need to be running (at minimum speed) to allow for quick maneuvering or to maintain steerage way, which is preferred if possible. The requirement is about speed reduction, not engine status. **C) begin a radar plot:** Systematic observation of targets (like radar plotting) is required under Rule 19(d) when using radar to assess the situation. This is a critical step in good seamanship, but it is not the *action* specifically mandated by Rule 19(e) regarding speed reduction immediately upon hearing the signal. The required immediate action upon hearing a fog signal forward of the beam is to reduce speed and, if necessary, take all way off. **D) All of the above:** Since options B and C are not the specific, mandatory actions defined by Rule 19(e) for speed control in this scenario, this option is incorrect.