Question 48 ONC07 - OUPV-Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for C (Correct Answer):** Option C, "One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals," is the correct fog signal for a power-driven vessel that is **not under command, restricted in her ability to maneuver, constrained by her draft, sailing, fishing (while underway and stopped), or towing/pushing** (as per Rule 35(c) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea – COLREGs). * **Rule 35(c)** specifically states: "A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, is a vessel **at anchor** and must sound the signal prescribed in Rule 35(d) or (f)." * **Wait, that's not right.** A vessel engaged in fishing is *not* a vessel "at anchor" in the sense of a normal anchoring signal, because she is still considered "engaged in fishing" for signaling purposes, even if stopped and holding her position. * **Revisiting COLREGs Rule 35(c):** This rule applies to any vessel other than a power-driven vessel underway (Rule 35(a) or (b)) that is not at anchor (Rule 35(d)) or aground (Rule 35(e)). The correct signal for a vessel **engaged in fishing, underway or stopped,** is: **one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts** at intervals of not more than two minutes. When a fishing vessel is "at anchor," she is generally sounding the signal appropriate to her activity (engaged in fishing) if she is still actively deploying gear or operating, or the anchor signal if she is secured (which is less common for a fishing vessel merely stopped while working). * **The context of the specific question (A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor):** Standard maritime test questions often interpret this scenario as a vessel defined by her operational status ("engaged in fishing") requiring the specific signal for that operational status. * Therefore, the signal for a vessel **engaged in fishing** (whether making way or stopped/held by gear) is **one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts** at intervals of not more than two minutes (Rule 35(c)). **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **A) A rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one-minute intervals:** This is the fog signal for a vessel **at anchor** (under 100 meters in length), as prescribed by Rule 35(d). While the vessel is technically "at anchor," her operational status ("engaged in fishing") takes precedence in signaling the nature of the difficulty she represents to other traffic. * **B) One prolonged and three short blasts at two-minute intervals:** This is the fog signal for a vessel **being towed** (or the last vessel in a tow), as prescribed by Rule 35(e). * **D) A sounding of the bell and gong at one-minute intervals:** This is the fog signal for a vessel **at anchor** (100 meters or more in length), as prescribed by Rule 35(d). *** **(Self-Correction/Note on Ambiguity in COLREGs Interpretation):** Although Rule 35(c) covers vessels engaged in fishing, many instructors and exam authorities rely on the interpretation that if the vessel is still actively "engaged in fishing," even if stopped (often referred to as 'fishing, stopped in the water'), the specialized Rule 35(c) signal applies. If the question intended for the vessel to be treated simply as "A vessel at anchor," the correct answer would be A (or D if >100m). However, since the prompt specifies the operational status "ENGAGED IN FISHING," the distinguishing signal (one prolonged and two short) is required to warn approaching vessels of the operational restriction.