Question 50 TV01 - Towing Vessels - Oceans or Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is B A continuous sounding of a fog whistle (or any prolonged sounding device) by a vessel, both internationally and inland, is the recognized signal under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 35(c) and associated national regulations, to indicate **A vessel is in distress**. This is one of the designated visual and sound signals used to communicate extreme danger and the need for immediate assistance. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) A request that the draw span of a bridge to be opened:** Bridge opening requests usually involve specific short blasts (e.g., one long blast followed by one short blast, depending on local rules) or specific VHF radio communication, not a continuous sounding of the whistle. * **C) That the vessel is anchored:** Under COLREGs Rule 35(e) and (f), a vessel anchored in restricted visibility gives specific bell and gong signals (or rapid ringing of the bell for 5 seconds at intervals of not more than one minute), sometimes supplemented by one short, one prolonged, and one short blast (anchor signal). A continuous blast is never the signal for anchoring. * **D) A vessel is broken down and drifting:** While a broken-down vessel might be in distress (Option B), the specific signal indicating a mechanical breakdown or drifting is not a continuous whistle blast unless the situation has escalated to an immediate distress emergency. If simply broken down but not in immediate distress, the vessel would typically signal its status using conventional maneuvering signals or bridge-to-bridge communications.