Question 39 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is C The duration of each **prolonged blast** used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is defined as **four to six seconds** by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 32, which addresses definitions for sound signals. This standard duration ensures clear recognition and distinction from other types of blasts (like a short blast) required under both International and Inland Rules. ### Why the Other Options are Incorrect: * **A) about one second:** This duration is defined as a **short blast** (approximately one second) in Rule 32. Short blasts are used in maneuvering and warning signals (e.g., in sight of another vessel), not for the mandatory prolonged blasts used to signal presence in restricted visibility. * **B) two to four seconds:** This duration does not correspond to any defined standard blast duration (short or prolonged) specified in COLREGs. * **D) eight to ten seconds:** This duration is excessively long for a prolonged blast as defined in COLREGs (four to six seconds). An eight to ten second blast would likely be mistaken for an error or an attempt at a different type of communication.