Question 161 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) Sound the danger signal and reduce speed. The reasoning behind this is that based on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses such that there is a risk of collision, the vessel that has the other on its own starboard side is the stand-on vessel and must maintain its course and speed. The give-way vessel, in this case vessel "II", is required to take early and substantial action to avoid the collision. By sounding the danger signal (five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle), vessel "I" is alerting the other vessel of the risk of collision and indicating that the give-way vessel has not taken appropriate action. Reducing speed also helps to further reduce the risk of collision. The other options are incorrect because B) would not provide the necessary warning to the other vessel, C) would be the incorrect signal to give, and D) would be the wrong course of action for the stand-on vessel.