Question 38 OSV02 - Mate - Offshore Supply Vessels

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** The International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 34(a)(i), governs maneuvering and warning signals. For power-driven vessels in sight of one another, the signals indicate actions being taken. A two-blast signal (two short blasts) means: **"I am altering my course to port."** This signal announces the immediate action of changing direction. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **B) "I desire to pass starboard to starboard":** This is often implied by the course alteration (altering course to port would put the vessels on a starboard-to-starboard passing trajectory if the other vessel holds course), but the signal itself directly means "I am altering course to port." Furthermore, the desire to pass is typically communicated differently in situations where doubt exists (e.g., using five or more short blasts to signal doubt, or using the traditional one or two blasts in inland waters to signal passing preference—but under International Rules, the one- or two-blast signals indicate action taken). * **C) "I desire to pass port-to-port":** This would be indicated by a single short blast ("I am altering my course to starboard") in the International Rules, as altering course to starboard typically facilitates a port-to-port passing. Again, the signal indicates action, not desire, under COLREGs International Rules. * **D) "I intend to alter course to port":** Under COLREGs International Rules (Rule 34(a)(i)), the signals indicate the vessel is **presently** taking the action, not merely the intention to do so in the future. The phrasing is "I am altering my course," making option A the precise regulatory meaning.