Question 14 ONC05 - Master or Mate of LT 200 GRT

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C is Correct: Option C, "reduce your speed to bare steerageway," is the correct action required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19 (Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility). 1. **Rule 19(e) Compliance:** When a vessel detects the presence of another vessel by radar alone (or by sound, as implied here by hearing the fog signal) and determines that a close-quarters situation is developing, or risk of collision exists, Rule 19(e) mandates that the vessel must "take early action to avoid a close-quarters situation, which shall if necessary include reducing her speed to bare steerageway or stopping her altogether." 2. **Uncertainty:** Since you are in restricted visibility, you cannot definitively ascertain the other vessel's course, speed, or type based solely on the fog signal's direction. The immediate priority is to slow down or stop to allow more time to evaluate the situation (perhaps by using radar or waiting for the vessel to become visible) and to minimize the impact if a collision does occur. 3. **Bare Steerageway:** Reducing speed to bare steerageway allows the vessel to maintain control while significantly decreasing the rate at which the situation develops, fulfilling the mandatory requirement of Rule 19. ### Why the Other Options are Incorrect: **A) alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side** This action is dangerous and violates COLREGs Rule 19(d)(i). When you hear a fog signal forward of the beam, Rule 19 strictly prohibits an alteration of course to port for a vessel which you have not yet seen. Altering course to port could lead you directly into the path of the unseen vessel, especially if they are also taking avoidance action or maintaining their course. **B) alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel** While altering course to starboard is generally the preferred maneuver in clear weather when taking action to avoid a head-on or crossing situation (Rules 14 and 15), Rule 19(d)(ii) specifically warns against altering course when hearing a signal forward of the beam unless you have fully ascertained that risk of collision does not exist. Altering course without visual confirmation of the other vessel's position, heading, and action can lead to ineffective or counterproductive maneuvers, increasing the risk of collision. The mandatory first step is to reduce speed (Rule 19(e)). **D) slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you** This is incomplete and potentially insufficient action. While slowing the engines is a step in the right direction, the requirement is to reduce speed to **bare steerageway** or stop (Rule 19(e)). Simply "slowing the engines" may not significantly reduce the vessel's speed enough to properly mitigate the risk, and it relies on the assumption that the other vessel will pass ahead, which cannot be confirmed in restricted visibility. Reducing speed to bare steerageway (Option C) is the required, more definitive action.