Question 49 OSV02 - Mate - Offshore Supply Vessels

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for Option C (The vessel is in distress):** According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Annex IV (Distress Signals), certain signals are recognized internationally as indicating distress and the need for assistance. One of the explicitly defined audible distress signals is: "a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus" or "firing of a gun or rocket signal a light in intervals of about a minute." Hearing the firing of a gun at one-minute intervals from a vessel is the established audible signal defined by COLREGs to indicate that the vessel is in **distress** and requires immediate aid. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **A) The gun is being used to sound passing signals:** Passing signals (or maneuvering and warning signals) are defined by specific short and prolonged blasts on the whistle or horn (e.g., one short blast means "I am altering my course to starboard"). The use of a gun fired at one-minute intervals is not a standard passing signal; it is a dedicated distress signal. * **B) All vessels are to clear the area:** While a vessel in distress may indirectly cause other vessels to maneuver to assist or avoid congestion, the direct meaning of the one-minute gun signal is "Distress," not a general command for all other traffic to disperse or clear the area. * **D) All is clear and it is safe to pass:** This is the opposite of the true meaning. A distress signal indicates a serious, urgent problem, requiring vessels to render assistance (if safe and practicable), not encouraging them to simply proceed as usual.