Question 35 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for A (one prolonged blast):** The Inland Navigation Rules (specifically Rule 34(d)) require a power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth to sound one prolonged blast. This signal serves as a warning or cautionary signal, indicating to other vessels in the area that the vessel is underway and may be obstructing the fairway as it maneuvers out of the slip or off the bank. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) four short blasts:** A sequence of four or more short blasts (at least four) is the "danger signal" (Rule 34(d)) used when vessels are in doubt about the other vessel's intentions or when a collision is imminent. It is not the signal required for leaving a dock. * **C) one long blast:** While "prolonged" and "long" blasts are sometimes colloquially confused, the specific term used in the rules is "prolonged blast." Regardless, the definitions are precise: a prolonged blast is 4 to 6 seconds long, and it is the specified signal (Rule 34(d)). Using "one long blast" instead of "one prolonged blast" is technically imprecise according to the standard terminology of the Rules, though option A uses the exact regulatory term. * **D) no signal is required:** This is incorrect. A signal *is* specifically required by Inland Rule 34(d) to notify other traffic when a vessel is maneuvering out of a constrained area like a dock or berth.