Question 37 ONC07 - OUPV-Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for Option C (Correct Answer):** In the **International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)**, Rule 34(a)(i) governs maneuvering and warning signals. * **One short blast** (approximately one second in duration) means: "I am altering my course to starboard." * **Two short blasts** (approximately one second each, separated by a brief interval) means: **"I am altering my course to port."** * **Three short blasts** means: "I am operating astern propulsion." Therefore, two short blasts indicates that the vessel is currently executing a change of course to port. *** **Why Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **A) The vessel will alter course to port:** While the vessel is indeed turning to port, the signal "two short blasts" in the International Rules is a signal given *at the time* the maneuver is being executed, not necessarily a future intent signal (though it serves as a warning of the immediate action). Under the International Rules, the signal describes the action happening now ("I am altering..."), making "is altering" (C) the most accurate description over the predictive "will alter" (A) or the purely intentional "intends to alter" (D). * **B) The vessel intends to pass starboard to starboard:** This is a misunderstanding of the signal. Passing agreements (like starboard-to-starboard or port-to-port) are communicated in certain circumstances, often relating to crossing or meeting situations, but two short blasts specifically relates to the vessel's own rudder movement (altering course to port). * **D) The vessel intends to alter course to port:** In the International Rules, the short blast signals are defined as describing the action *being taken*. The phrasing in the rule is "My intention is..." followed by the action being executed ("...to alter my course to port"). Unlike in the US Inland Rules where intention signals are separate from execution signals in some contexts, International Rule 34(a) defines the blast signals as warnings given when the action is being taken: "When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel under way, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules, shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals..." Therefore, the signal indicates the action is currently underway ("is altering course"), not just a mere future intention.