Question 12 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for A (Correct Option):** Option A, "take all way off, if necessary," is the action specifically required by the Rules concerning restricted visibility and hearing a fog signal forward of the beam. Rule 19(e) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea (COLREGs) mandates that: "Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears a fog signal of a vessel forward of her beam... shall reduce her speed to a minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over." Therefore, taking all way off (stopping the vessel relative to the water) is the required action when necessary to mitigate the risk. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **B) stop your engines:** While reducing speed and potentially stopping the vessel is required, the Rule specifically requires reducing speed to a *minimum at which she can be kept on her course* and taking all *way* off. Stopping the engines (which may be required to take all way off if the vessel has fixed pitch propellers) is a means to an end, not the primary, universally required action specified in the Rule. A vessel may need to keep her engines running in neutral or occasionally ahead/astern to maintain steering and take way off. * **C) begin a radar plot:** Beginning a radar plot is good seamanship practice and highly recommended when navigating in restricted visibility or assessing a risk of collision (Rule 7). However, it is a method of determining risk and monitoring the situation, not the immediate, required *action* of collision avoidance specified by Rule 19(e) (which focuses on speed reduction and stopping way) when a fog signal is heard forward of the beam and risk exists. * **D) All of the above:** Since options B and C are not the primary, mandatory requirements of Rule 19(e), this option is incorrect. Only A represents the mandated action concerning speed and way.