Question 68 TV02 - Towing Vessels - Great Lakes and Inland

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** When steaming in a heavy gale and finding it necessary to heave to (meaning to stop or significantly slow the vessel's progress to ride out the severe weather), the goal is to maintain the vessel in the safest possible orientation relative to the waves and wind while minimizing stress and risk of damage. This is best accomplished by **taking the sea fine on the bow** (usually 10 to 45 degrees off the heading) and **reducing the speed** to the minimum necessary to maintain steerage and control. * **Taking the sea fine on the bow** allows the vessel to meet the waves at an angle, reducing the impact force compared to meeting them directly head-on (which can cause severe pitching and slamming) or beam-on (which causes dangerous rolling). * **Reducing speed** prevents the vessel from driving violently into the large waves, absorbing energy instead of colliding with it, and minimizes stress on the hull and machinery. This orientation, often referred to as "lying a-hull" or "dodging," offers the most control and comfort during severe weather. **Explanation of Why Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **B) Increasing the speed and taking the sea broad on the bow:** Increasing speed in heavy weather is highly dangerous. It maximizes the forces of impact against the waves, leading to severe slamming, potential structural damage, and uncontrolled pitching. Taking the sea "broad on the bow" (near 90 degrees) also increases the risk of severe rolling or heavy impacts, especially if the vessel loses control. * **C) Stopping the engines and drifting beam to the seas:** Stopping the engines entirely causes the vessel to lose steerage way and allows it to drift at the mercy of the wind and waves. Drifting **beam to the seas** (side-on, 90 degrees) is extremely dangerous, as it exposes the vessel to the full force of the waves, leading to violent and potentially catastrophic rolling, increased risk of capsizing, and water ingress. * **D) Going slow astern and taking the seas on the quarter:** Going astern (backward) provides very little directional control, especially in heavy seas and wind, and is generally avoided unless specific maneuvers require it. Taking heavy seas **on the quarter** (from behind, near 45 degrees to the stern) is highly risky because it increases the chance of the vessel "broaching" (suddenly being thrown broadside to the waves) or "pooping" (a large following wave breaking over the stern), which can flood the vessel and damage steering gear.