Question 36 ONC07 - OUPV-Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct Answer):** In the **Inland** Rules of the Road (33 CFR Subchapter E, Inland Navigational Rules), Rule 34(c) governs signals for agreement/disagreement concerning passing in a narrow channel or fairway. When the overtaking vessel signals their intention to pass on the starboard side (one short blast in Inland Rules, indicating a desire to leave the vessel being overtaken to port), the vessel being overtaken must respond. According to Rule 34(c)(i), if the vessel being overtaken agrees with the proposed maneuver, they must sound a responding signal of: * **One short blast** if agreeing to a starboard-to-starboard passing (leaving the overtaken vessel to port, as proposed by the one short blast initial signal). Therefore, one short blast is the correct signal of agreement. --- **Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **B) one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order:** This signal (often abbreviated as "prolonged-short-prolonged-short") is the prescribed signal for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (**RAM** signal, Rule 35(c)) or, in the International Rules, the signal for disagreement (Rule 34(a)(ii)). In the Inland Rules, however, the disagreement signal is five or more short blasts (Rule 34(c)(ii)). This option is not the signal for agreement to a passing situation. * **C) two prolonged blasts:** Two prolonged blasts is the correct signal used in the **International** Rules of the Road (COLREGs) to indicate a vessel is not under command (NUC), or in poor visibility, as a maneuvering signal for a power-driven vessel that is making way but stopped (Rule 35(b)). It is not the signal for agreeing to a passing maneuver in Inland waters. * **D) two prolonged followed by two short blasts:** This sequence is the signal prescribed for a power-driven vessel intending to cross a narrow channel or fairway (Rule 9(e)) in the **International** Rules (COLREGs). It has no relevance as a signal of agreement for an overtaking maneuver in Inland waters. (Note: In Inland Rules, this signal combination is commonly associated with a towing vessel that is pushing ahead or alongside—Rule 34(a)(iii)).