Question 647 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is D) Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible. This is the correct answer because the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation Rules require that vessels be equipped with sound signaling appliances that can be operated manually. Automatic sounding of signals is not permitted, as stated in option A. While option B is incorrect, as there is no requirement for a gong on vessels over 12 meters, option C is also incorrect as vessels less than 12 meters in length must still be equipped with sound signaling devices that can be manually operated.