Question 464 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is D) "I am changing course to starboard." The international navigation rules state that in an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel must sound one short blast on the whistle to indicate that it intends to pass on the starboard (right) side of the vessel being overtaken. This whistle signal communicates the overtaking vessel's intention to alter course to the starboard side to safely pass the other vessel. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the meaning of the one short blast whistle signal in an overtaking situation. The vessel is not requesting permission to pass on the port side, nor is it asking on which side to pass. It is simply indicating that it is changing course to the starboard side to overtake.