Question 228 Rules of the Road

90% to pass

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" towing a barge alongside and meeting power-driven vessel "B" as shown in illustration D039RR below. Which action should you take?

Rules of the Road Question 228 diagram
A Alter course to port
B Back down to reduce the strain on the lines
C Alter course to starboard
D Maintain course and speed
AI Explanation

The correct answer is C) Alter course to starboard. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), Rule 14 - Head-on Situation, when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, each vessel shall alter course to starboard to pass with a safe clearance. This applies to both international and inland waterways. The other options are incorrect because: A) Altering course to port would be the wrong action in a head-on situation; B) Backing down would not be the appropriate action to take in this scenario; and D) Maintaining course and speed would go against the COLREGS requirement to alter course to starboard in a head-on encounter.

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Official Resources
USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS) 33 CFR Navigation Rules USCG Navigation Center
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