Question 119 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship. This is correct because under both the International Rules of the Road and the Inland Navigation Rules, a vessel less than 20 meters in length (the 18-meter tug) must not impede the safe passage of a vessel that is constrained by its draft, such as a loaded tankship. The tankship, being constrained by its draft, has the right-of-way in the narrow channel, and the tug must take early and substantial action to keep out of the way of the tankship. The other answer choices are incorrect because the tankship's status as the stand-on vessel is not relevant in this situation, and the relative sizes of the vessels do not determine the right-of-way when one vessel is constrained by its draft.