Question 14 UFV02 - Mate - Uninspected Fishing Vessels

The Correct Answer is C ### Why Option C is Correct: Option C, "reduce your speed to bare steerageway," is the correct action based on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rule 19 (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility). 1. **Rule 19(b)** requires that every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. 2. **Rule 19(d)(i)** addresses actions taken when a vessel detects the presence of another vessel by radar alone (or by sound, as the vessel is heard 20° on the starboard bow) and determines that a risk of collision exists. This rule mandates that the vessel must take avoiding action in ample time. 3. **Rule 19(e)** applies when a vessel hears the fog signal of another vessel apparently forward of the beam (which 20° on the starboard bow is) and a risk of collision exists. This rule strictly states the vessel shall **reduce its speed to the minimum at which it can be kept on her course (bare steerageway)**. If necessary, the vessel must stop her engines altogether. The vessel should not take course altering action until danger is past. Therefore, the primary and mandatory action upon hearing a fog signal forward of the beam when risk of collision exists is to slow down to bare steerageway. ### Why the Other Options are Incorrect: **A) alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side:** This is incorrect because altering course to port in a potential crossing or head-on situation is generally discouraged under normal visibility (COLREGs Rule 15/14) and is strictly forbidden when maneuvering solely based on signals heard in restricted visibility (Rule 19(e)). Furthermore, under Rule 19, a vessel should not normally alter course until the danger is past. **B) alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel:** This is incorrect for the same reasons as Option A. Rule 19(e) specifically requires reducing speed first. While altering course to starboard is the preferred direction if a maneuver is necessary (to show the vessel’s intentions clearly and avoid turning into the other vessel’s path), this action must wait until the vessel has taken off way (reduced speed to bare steerageway) or until the position of the other vessel is confirmed and risk is evaluated. The immediate and mandatory action is reducing speed. **D) slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you:** While "slowing engines" is part of the correct action, "let the other vessel pass ahead of you" implies an assumption about the other vessel's course and intentions, which is impossible to confirm in restricted visibility when only a fog signal is heard. COLREGs Rule 19(e) does not instruct one to wait for the other vessel to pass; it instructs one to reduce speed to bare steerageway or stop, and then proceed with caution until the danger is over. Option C, reducing speed to bare steerageway, is the precise, mandatory action dictated by Rule 19(e).