Question 4211 Deck General

The correct answer is C) turn her bow toward the dock. This is because a right-hand propeller will cause the vessel to swing or turn its bow toward the dock when backing down, due to the propeller's rotational force. As the vessel is approaching the dock with a starboard side-to, the propeller's thrust when backing will push the stern to port, causing the bow to swing toward the dock. The other options are incorrect: A) losing headway without swinging is not what happens with a right-hand propeller; B) the vessel will not head into the wind, as the propeller's effect overpowers any weather vaning; and D) the bow will not turn away from the dock, as the propeller's thrust will push the stern to port, swinging the bow toward the dock.