Question 301 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) The sounding of the danger signal is mandatory. According to the United States Inland Navigation Rules, if you are the vessel proceeding down a channel and another vessel is crossing your bow from port to starboard, and you are in doubt as to her intentions, you are required to sound the danger signal, which is one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts. This alerts the other vessel that you are in doubt about their actions and that they should take appropriate action to avoid a collision. The sounding of the danger signal is mandatory in this situation, as it is a critical safety measure to communicate your uncertainty and concern to the other vessel. The other answer choices are incorrect because B) the sounding of the danger signal is not optional, C) you should sound one prolonged and four short blasts, not one prolonged and two short blasts, and D) you should sound the danger signal, not just two short blasts.