Question 4113 Deck General

The correct answer is B) your vessel is at the outer limits of the channel. When a vessel requires significant right rudder input to maintain course, it indicates that the vessel is being pushed to the port side, likely because it is near the outer edge of the navigable channel. This is because the vessel is encountering shallower water and/or increased bottom friction on the port side, causing the bow to fall off to port. The need for significant right rudder to counteract this is a clear sign that the vessel is operating near the limits of the safe water in the channel. The other options are incorrect because: A) A turn rate indicator issue would not directly cause the bow to fall off to port. C) Losing a propeller blade would cause other handling issues, not just the bow falling off to port. D) Being in the deepest part of the channel would not require significant right rudder to maintain course.