Question 211 Deck General

The correct answer is C) three bells. According to the rules and regulations governing the U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License Examinations, a sighting of a vessel dead ahead should be reported on the ship's bell with three bells. This alerts the crew that there is a potential collision hazard directly in the path of the vessel, requiring immediate action to avoid an accident. The other answer choices are incorrect because: one bell (A) is typically used to indicate the start of a new watch, two bells (B) is used to signal the middle of a watch, and four bells (D) is used to indicate the end of a watch. None of these bell signals are appropriate for reporting a vessel sighted dead ahead.