Question 52 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Reduce your speed):** Reducing speed is the most effective and direct way to minimize the wake created by a vessel. The size and energy of a vessel's wake (waves) are fundamentally related to its speed, particularly in relation to the hull speed. At lower speeds, the vessel displaces water more gently, resulting in significantly smaller waves. In narrow channels, reducing speed is critical for preventing erosion of the banks and minimizing disruption to other vessels and moored boats. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) Change your course to a zigzag course:** Maneuvering sharply (zigzagging) increases turbulence and the size of the wake as the hull constantly cuts into undisturbed water at an angle, rather than following a straight path. This would *increase* the wake, not reduce it. * **C) Shift the weight to the stern:** Shifting weight to the stern (trimming by the stern) can increase the vessel's running angle (squat and trim), which often results in a larger, more powerful wake, especially at transitional speeds, as more of the stern is dragged through the water. * **D) Apply enough rudder to counter the effect of the current:** Using the rudder to counter current is necessary for maintaining a course, but it generally introduces drag and side forces that increase turbulence and the resulting wake, especially if the rudder must be held at a significant angle. It does not address the primary cause of the wake, which is the speed of the hull through the water.