Question 362 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) 3 short blasts. When a power-driven vessel is backing out of a berth with another vessel in sight within 0.5 nautical miles, the vessel must give one prolonged blast followed by 3 short blasts, as per the Inland Navigation Rules (Rule 34(a)). The 3 short blasts signal the intent to go astern, which helps alert the other vessel of the backing maneuver. The other options are incorrect because: A) 1 blast is not the required signal, B) 2 short blasts is not the correct number of blasts, and D) no additional signal is not in accordance with the Inland Navigation Rules.