Question 18 TV03 - Towing Vessels - Western Rivers

The Correct Answer is A **Why option A ("One prolonged blast") is correct:** According to both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs, Rule 34(e)) and the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules (Rule 34(h)), a vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction is required to sound **one prolonged blast**. This signal is an important warning signal to any approaching vessel that cannot be seen, allowing them to take appropriate action. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) Two short blasts:** This signal indicates "I am altering my course to port" (when operating under COLREGs/Inland Rules in sight of another vessel), or sometimes it's used as a "doubt" signal in fog/restricted visibility. It is not the prescribed signal for warning vessels around a bend. * **C) One short blast:** This signal indicates "I am altering my course to starboard" (when operating under COLREGs/Inland Rules in sight of another vessel). It is not the warning signal for an obscured bend. * **D) One long blast:** While "prolonged" and "long" are sometimes used interchangeably in general conversation, the precise nautical term specified by the Rules for this specific warning situation is "prolonged blast." In the context of signals, a prolonged blast has a defined duration (4 to 6 seconds), while "long blast" is generally not a defined signal term under the rules, although sometimes the duration of a prolonged blast is colloquially referred to as "long." Using the standard regulatory terminology, "One prolonged blast" (Option A) is the technically correct answer.