Question 34 RVR05 - Master of LT 100 GRT

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for C (Correct Option):** Option C is correct because it directly aligns with **Rule 34(e) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)**, which applies to both international and inland waters (often adopted by national inland rules). Rule 34(e) states: "A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound **one prolonged blast**." A prolonged blast is defined in Rule 33(b) as a blast of approximately **4 to 6 seconds duration**. This signal serves as an advance warning to any vessel that might be hidden around the bend, allowing both vessels time to take appropriate action. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** **A) Stay in the middle of the channel:** While generally good practice to keep clear of banks, Rule 9 (Narrow Channels) often dictates that vessels keep to the starboard side of the channel (the outer limit of the bend is usually the deepest water, but the rule requires staying to starboard). More importantly, simply staying in the middle does not fulfill the critical requirement to warn approaching traffic of your presence around a blind bend. **B) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** Stopping engines might increase caution but could lead to loss of steerageway, making the vessel less maneuverable, which is dangerous in a channel. While navigating with caution (Rule 5, Look-out, and Rule 6, Safe Speed) is always required, stopping engines is not the specific action mandated by the Rules for announcing your presence at a blind bend. **D) Sound passing signals to any other vessel that may be on the other side of the bend:** Passing signals (one or two short blasts, defined in Rule 34(a)) are only used when two vessels are **in sight of one another** and are indicating their intention to overtake or meet and pass. Since you cannot see the vessel around the bend, passing signals are inappropriate and violate Rule 34. The required signal for an obscured bend is the prolonged blast (4–6 seconds).