Question 13 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A states: "Slow to minimum to maintain course and navigate with caution." This action is mandated by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19(e), which governs the conduct of vessels navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility. Rule 19(e) states: "Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of a vessel the position of which is not ascertained, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course and shall in any event navigate with extreme caution until the danger of collision is over." Hearing a fog signal ahead means the vessel's position is "not ascertained" and implies a risk of collision or close-quarters situation exists. Therefore, slowing speed to the minimum necessary to maintain steerage and navigating cautiously is the required action under both International (COLREGs) and Inland Rules. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **B) Slow to moderate speed and navigate with caution:** A "moderate" speed is undefined and may still be too fast to allow proper time to take avoiding action upon sighting the other vessel. Rule 19 requires reducing speed to the *minimum* necessary for steerage, not just a moderate reduction. * **C) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** While sometimes stopping engines may be part of the necessary action, Rule 19(e) requires maintaining sufficient speed to stay on course ("minimum at which she can be kept on her course"). Completely stopping engines eliminates steerage (way) and might prevent the vessel from taking timely avoiding action, which is dangerous in fog. * **D) Maintain speed and sound five short and rapid blasts:** Maintaining speed in restricted visibility when a vessel is heard ahead violates the requirement to reduce speed (Rule 19(e)). Sounding five short and rapid blasts (the danger signal, Rule 34(d)) is used to indicate that the vessel is in doubt about the intentions of the other vessel or believes an immediate danger of collision exists, but it is not a substitute for the mandatory reduction of speed required under Rule 19(e).