Question 115 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) "I intend to leave you on my port side". The reasoning is based on the Inland Navigation Rules, Rule 34(a), which states that "When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own port side shall hold her course and speed." By sounding one short blast, Vessel A is signaling that it intends to alter course to pass the other vessel on its port side, in accordance with the navigation rules. The other options are incorrect because: B) would indicate that Vessel A intends to pass on the starboard side, which is the opposite of the one-blast signal; C) would indicate that Vessel A is altering course to starboard, which is not the case based on the one-blast signal.