Question 26 RVR03 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for A (You need not sound any whistle signals.):** This scenario is governed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) (specifically Rule 34, which covers Maneuvering and Warning Signals) and the U.S. Inland Rules (which govern traffic in this "INLAND ONLY" scenario). The key differentiating factor between the International (COLREGs) and U.S. Inland Rules regarding whistle signals is when the signals are required: 1. **COLREGs Rule 34(a):** Requires whistle signals (one, two, or three short blasts) *only* if the vessel is taking action (e.g., changing course or speed) *and* is in sight of another vessel. 2. **U.S. Inland Rule 34(a)(i) (Power-driven vessels meeting, crossing, or overtaking):** Requires whistle signals when vessels are **in sight of one another** *and* when a vessel is taking action to **propose a maneuver** (meeting, crossing, or overtaking) or assenting to such a proposal. In this specific question, the vessel is putting its engines full speed astern (a change in direction of movement and speed), which normally correlates to a three-blast signal under COLREGs (Rule 34(a)). However, under U.S. **Inland** Rules, the three-blast signal is defined in Rule 34(a)(iii) as: "When a vessel’s engines are going astern she shall exhibit, if required, three short blasts." The crucial qualification is "if required." Inland Rules *only* require signaling (including the three-blast signal) when two vessels are involved in a **meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation**. Since the maneuver (putting engines astern) is being performed while the vessel is merely "underway and in sight of another power-driven vessel," and there is no indication that the vessels are in a close quarters situation, or a meeting, crossing, or overtaking relationship (especially as the other vessel is more than 0.5 mile away), the maneuver is not being used to signal a proposal or assent for a close-quarters maneuver. **Therefore, under Inland Rules, no whistle signal is required.** **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.** This is incorrect because, while Inland Rules generally restrict signaling to meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations, the action of reversing engines (three blasts) is not a standard proposing signal (which are one or two blasts). If the vessels *were* meeting, you would sound one blast (to port) or two blasts (to starboard) to signal your proposal, not three blasts, unless you were actively using the reversal of engines as part of the maneuver to avoid collision at close range. * **C) You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.** This is incorrect. Under Inland Rules, one blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side" (or "I intend to pass on your starboard side" when overtaking). The one-blast signal is used to propose a passing maneuver, not to describe the mechanical action of the vessel (which is full speed astern). * **D) You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.** This would be the **correct answer under COLREGs** (International Rules) because three blasts signify "I am operating astern propulsion." However, since the question explicitly states "INLAND ONLY," and the three-blast signal is only required "if required" (i.e., in close-quarters meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations) under Inland Rules, sounding it is not mandatory when the vessels are 0.5 mile apart and not specified to be in a close-quarters situation.