Question 909 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) Sound the danger signal. As the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, if you believe the give-way vessel is not taking sufficient action to avoid a collision, you are required to sound the danger signal (five or more short, rapid blasts on the whistle) to alert the other vessel. This is in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation Rules. The other options are incorrect because: A) Sounding one short blast would indicate you are altering course to starboard, which is not the appropriate action; C) Sounding two short blasts and altering to port is the action for a vessel that is the give-way vessel, not the stand-on vessel; and D) Taking no signal or maneuvering at will would be in violation of the COLREGS/Inland Rules, which require the stand-on vessel to take appropriate action to avoid a collision.