Question 972 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) Is more than 100 meters in length, at anchor. The signal of a rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds indicates that the vessel is more than 100 meters in length and is at anchor, as per the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). This signal is used to identify a vessel's presence and location to other vessels in the vicinity, particularly in conditions of reduced visibility, such as fog. The other options are incorrect because they do not match the specific signal described in the question. Option A is incorrect as it indicates a fishing vessel making no way through the water, which would not use this signal. Option C is incorrect as it indicates a vessel engaged in pair trawling, and option D is incorrect as it indicates a vessel engaged in pilotage duty, neither of which would use this particular signal.