Question 25 RVR01 - Master of Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is D **Why option D ("bare steerageway") is correct:** This scenario is governed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19 (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility). Paragraph (e) of Rule 19 addresses the action required when a vessel detects another vessel's presence (such as by hearing its fog signal) forward of the beam but has not yet determined if a risk of collision exists. The rule states that the vessel "shall reduce her speed to a minimum and if necessary take all her way off, and in any event navigate with extreme caution until the danger of collision is over." Reducing speed to **bare steerageway** is the practical application of reducing speed "to a minimum"—it is the minimum speed required to maintain control and direction (steering capability) of the vessel. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) moderate speed:** While Rule 19(b) requires vessels to proceed at a "safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility," once the presence of another vessel is detected forward of the beam and risk is unknown, reducing speed to merely "moderate" is insufficient. The vessel must slow down much further to a minimum. * **B) half speed:** Reducing speed to half speed is a significant reduction but is still typically faster than the minimum required for safety in this specific situation. The requirement is to reduce speed "to a minimum," not just to a fraction of the previous speed. * **C) safe speed:** A "safe speed" is defined in Rule 6 and is a general requirement for navigation. However, Rule 19(e) overrides the general safe speed requirement by mandating that speed be reduced *to a minimum* (bare steerageway) when a specific close-quarters situation is developing in restricted visibility and risk is undetermined.