Question 30 TV03 - Towing Vessels - Western Rivers

The Correct Answer is C. ### Why Option C is Correct Option C, "Reduce your speed to the minimum at which it can be kept on course," is required by Rule 19(b) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which governs the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. Rule 19(b) states: "Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and condition of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have its engines ready for immediate manoeuvre." More specifically, Rule 19(e) addresses the action required upon hearing a fog signal forward of the beam: > "Except where it has been determined that a danger of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, **shall reduce her speed to be the minimum at which she can be kept on her course.** She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over." Since the other vessel's signal is heard 30° on the starboard bow (which is forward of the beam), and danger of collision is presumed to exist, reducing speed to the minimum steerageway is the primary required action. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **A) Alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side** This is incorrect. Rule 19(d)(i) strictly prohibits turning to port for a vessel forward of the beam when in restricted visibility, specifically stating: "A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or danger of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, **it shall not be an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam**..." While this rule primarily addresses radar detection, the general principle in fog is to avoid major course alterations toward an unknown position, and especially avoid turning toward the direction of the possible threat (Rule 19(e) mandates reducing speed first). **B) Alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern** This is incorrect as the initial action. While large, timely alterations of course to starboard might be appropriate if the position is positively confirmed (e.g., by radar), Rule 19(e) mandates that the **first and most essential action** upon hearing a signal forward of the beam is to reduce speed to minimum steerageway. An aggressive course change before the other vessel's position and movement are fully confirmed is generally avoided in reduced visibility. **D) Slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you** This is partially correct in principle (reducing speed), but it is incomplete and imprecise compared to C. Rule 19(e) requires reducing speed to the **minimum at which the vessel can be kept on course** (steerageway), or if necessary, taking all way off. Simply "slowing engines" is not the defined mandatory action. Furthermore, "let the other vessel pass ahead of you" implies an active determination of the encounter geometry, which is not yet established, and it bypasses the explicit requirement to reduce speed to minimum steerageway.