Question 36 TV03 - Towing Vessels - Western Rivers

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct Answer):** Option A, "about 1 second," is correct because the whistle signals used to indicate maneuvering intentions (such as meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations) are defined by the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) as short blasts. Rule 3(i) of the COLREGs defines a **short blast** as a blast of about one second's duration. These signals are used in head-on and/or crossing situations to convey intention (e.g., "I intend to alter course to starboard," which is one short blast). Since the question asks about the duration of the blast used in these specific maneuvering situations, the duration must be that of a short blast. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **B) 2 to 4 seconds:** This duration is too long. While 4 to 6 seconds (or 4 to 10 seconds) defines a **prolonged blast** (used primarily for warning, restricted visibility, and leaving a berth – Rule 35 and 32), 2 to 4 seconds does not correspond to a recognized standard blast duration in the COLREGs context for maneuvering signals. * **C) 4 to 6 seconds:** This duration falls within the definition of a **prolonged blast** (defined as 4 to 6 seconds in Rule 3(j)). Prolonged blasts are used for signals like warning/approaching a bend (Inland) or fog signals/leaving a dock, not for the short blasts required to indicate maneuver intentions in head-on or crossing encounters. * **D) 8 to 10 seconds:** This duration is significantly longer than any standard blast defined in the COLREGs (short or prolonged) and is therefore incorrect for any standardized maneuvering signal.