Question 14 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C is Correct Option C states: **reduce your speed to bare steerageway**. This action is required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19 (Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility). Rule 19(d)(i) states that a vessel which hears the fog signal of another vessel apparently forward of her beam, and she judges that a risk of collision exists, shall **reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course (bare steerageway)**. If necessary, she must take all her way off and, in any event, navigate with extreme caution until the danger of collision is over. Hearing a vessel 20° on the starboard bow indicates the vessel is forward of the beam. Since restricted visibility exists and risk of collision *may* exist, the immediate and mandatory action is to reduce speed to bare steerageway to allow maximum time for assessment and maneuvering, and to minimize the consequences if a collision does occur. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **A) alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side** **Incorrect.** Rule 19(d)(ii) explicitly prohibits altering course to port for a vessel forward of the beam when a risk of collision is detected in restricted visibility, *unless* it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist or that the encounter is clearly safe. Taking a large alteration of course before determining the other vessel's position, course, and intentions is dangerous and violates the rules designed for safe navigation in fog. **B) alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel** **Incorrect.** While altering course to starboard is the preferred action in clear weather when crossing situations arise, in restricted visibility, Rule 19 requires that speed be reduced first (Rule 19(d)(i)). Taking a major maneuvering action (like altering course) based only on the bearing of a fog signal is premature and dangerous, as the vessel's exact position and course are unknown. Maneuvering should only occur once the other vessel is sighted or its position and course are reliably known. **D) slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you** **Incorrect.** While this action is related to reducing speed, it is insufficient and potentially misleading. Rule 19 specifically mandates reducing speed to **bare steerageway**—the minimum speed necessary to maintain course. Simply "slowing the engines" may not achieve the necessary reduction in forward movement required by the rule, especially for large vessels. Furthermore, this option implies an immediate decision to stop and wait for the other vessel to pass ahead, which is a specific outcome rather than the initial required safety measure of minimizing speed (bare steerageway).