Question 305 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) She has the right of way only if she is power-driven. The reasoning is that on the Western Rivers, a downbound vessel with a following current has the right of way over an upbound vessel, but only if the downbound vessel is power-driven. This is based on the Inland Navigation Rules, which state that a power-driven vessel proceeding with the current has the right of way over an upbound vessel. The other options are incorrect because: B) The upbound vessel does not need to give a whistle signal for the downbound vessel to have the right of way. C) The downbound vessel does have the right of way if it is power-driven. D) The fact that the other vessel is not crossing the river does not negate the downbound vessel's right of way if it is power-driven.