Question 45 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for Option B (One prolonged blast):** Option B is correct because, according to both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs Rule 34(e)) and the U.S. Inland Rules (33 CFR § 83.34(e)), a vessel approaching a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction is required to sound a signal of **one prolonged blast**. This signal is an alerting or warning signal indicating that the vessel is present and navigating in an area with restricted visibility. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **A) One short blast:** This signal indicates "I am altering my course to starboard." It is a maneuver signal, not an alerting signal for an obscured bend. * **C) Two short blasts:** This signal indicates "I am altering my course to port." It is also a maneuver signal, not the required warning signal for an obscured bend. * **D) One long blast:** While the term "prolonged blast" often means a blast of 4 to 6 seconds, the official terminology used in the Rules for this specific warning situation is "one prolonged blast." In common maritime parlance, "long blast" and "prolonged blast" are sometimes used interchangeably, but "prolonged blast" is the precise term defined in Rule 32(b) and specified in Rule 34(e). Additionally, "one prolonged blast" (without reference to specific duration) is also used for a power-driven vessel making way in fog, which is a separate context. For the specific situation of approaching an obscured bend, the precise and mandatory terminology is "one prolonged blast."