Question 50 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Why option B ("A vessel is in distress") is correct:** Under both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the U.S. Inland Rules, certain sound signals are designated specifically for distress situations. A continuous sounding of a fog whistle (or any prolonged sounding of a signaling device) is internationally recognized and prescribed as a signal indicating that a vessel is in grave and imminent danger and requires assistance (distress). **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 or radiotelephone, depending on local rules and the jurisdiction (e.g., usually one prolonged blast followed by one short blast, or five short blasts if the draw is restricted). A continuous sounding is not the signal for this request. * **C) That the vessel is anchored:** Under limited visibility (fog), a vessel anchored typically sounds five seconds of rapid ringing of the bell followed by five seconds of the gong (for vessels 100 meters or more in length), or simply the bell (for smaller vessels), at intervals not exceeding one minute. They do not sound a continuous whistle. * **D) A vessel is broken down and drifting:** While a broken-down vessel may be in distress, the standard signal for a broken-down vessel that is underway but unable to maneuver and is making way through the water is typically the "prolonged blast" signal used for power-driven vessels underway but stopped (one prolonged blast every two minutes). A continuous sounding is reserved strictly for immediate distress (danger), not just being disabled.