Question 15 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A. ### Why Option A is Correct **Option A) Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.** is correct because when two power-driven vessels are crossing in restricted visibility (fog) and hear the fog signal of another vessel apparently forward of the beam, **Rule 19 (Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility)** applies. Rule 19 overrides the standard crossing rules (Rule 15). Specifically, **Rule 19(d)** requires that a vessel which hears the fog signal of another vessel apparently forward of the beam, and whose position is not ascertained, shall reduce her speed to the minimum required to keep on course, and if necessary, stop her engines. Furthermore, **Rule 19(e)** dictates that if a close-quarters situation is unavoidable, a vessel shall take avoiding action, which, in the context of fog and uncertainty, usually means altering course to starboard to pass astern of the other vessel, or taking other substantial, timely action. **In restricted visibility, the concepts of "stand-on" and "give-way" established in normal visibility crossing situations (Rule 15) are suspended.** Both vessels are maneuvering vessels required to take cautious, substantial action to avoid collision. Therefore, neither vessel has the right-of-way or the obligation to maintain course and speed. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **B) The vessel which hears the other vessel's fog signal first:** This is incorrect. Hearing the fog signal first provides no special rights or privileges under the Rules. Rule 19 requires both vessels to take immediate, cautious action once the signal is heard forward of the beam. **C) The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side:** This describes the vessel that *would be* the **stand-on vessel** under **Rule 15 (Crossing Situations)** in clear visibility. However, Rule 15 does not apply in restricted visibility where the vessels are not in sight of one another. Rule 19 applies, nullifying the stand-on/give-way distinction. **D) The vessel which has the other on her own port side:** This describes the vessel that *would be* the **give-way vessel** under **Rule 15 (Crossing Situations)** in clear visibility. Since the vessels are crossing in fog and Rule 19 applies, this vessel is not the give-way vessel, nor is the other vessel designated as stand-on. Both vessels are equally responsible for avoiding a close-quarters situation.