Question 43 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A is correct because both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the U.S. Inland Rules require that vessels of a size necessitating a bell or gong (generally vessels 100 meters or more in length) must always retain the capability to sound these instruments manually, even if automatic sounding mechanisms are provided. Rule 33 (Equipment for Sound Signals) states the requirements for providing the equipment, and the general operating principles mandate manual control as a backup or primary method when automatic signaling is not in use. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **B) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.** This is incorrect. COLREGs/Inland Rule 33 requires a vessel of less than 12 meters to be provided with "some means of making an efficient sound signal." They do not need a whistle and bell, but they must have some form of signaling equipment (e.g., a horn, whistle, or portable signaling device). **C) Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.** This is incorrect. A gong is only required for vessels 100 meters or more in length. Vessels between 12 meters and 100 meters must have a whistle and a bell (unless operating under specific Inland exemptions that replace the bell with another signaling device, but generally the international standard is whistle and bell). **D) Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.** This is incorrect. Both International and Inland Rules permit the automatic sounding of the whistle (e.g., for restricted visibility signals), provided that the ability for manual operation is also retained.