Question 37 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C ("The vessel is altering course to port") is Correct: The question specifies "INTERNATIONAL ONLY." According to Rule 34(a)(i) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, **one short blast** means "I am altering my course to starboard." Similarly, **two short blasts** means "I am altering my course to port." Since the vessel has sounded two short blasts, it is executing the maneuver: "I am altering course to port." ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: * **A) The vessel will alter course to port:** While the vessel *is* altering course to port (as per the correct answer C), the phrasing "will alter" can sometimes imply intent or a future action. The International signal (unlike the Inland signal) indicates the action is currently being executed. The most precise description of the signal is the action being taken, which is **altering**. * **B) The vessel intends to pass starboard to starboard:** The signal for passing or meeting situations (Rule 34(a) signals) strictly refers to course alterations (starboard, port, or astern propulsion). There is no specific signal (using 1, 2, or 3 short blasts) that means "I intend to pass starboard to starboard." This phrasing is related to Rule 14 (Head-on situation) but is not the meaning of two short blasts. * **D) The vessel intends to alter course to port:** This is the meaning of two short blasts under **U.S. Inland Rules**, but **not** under International Rules (COLREGs). Under International Rules, the blast indicates the execution of the maneuver ("I am altering..."), not the intent ("I intend to alter..."). Since the question explicitly states "INTERNATIONAL ONLY," this option is incorrect.