Question 999 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is D) One prolonged and two short blasts. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), a sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam (behind the beam) navigating in restricted visibility should sound the identity signal of "one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts" to indicate its presence and maneuverability. This is specified in Rule 35(a) of the COLREGS. The other options are incorrect because they do not match the required identity signal for a sailing vessel in this situation. Option A (three short blasts) is the signal for a vessel not under command, option B (one prolonged blast) is the signal for a power-driven vessel, and option C (two prolonged blasts) is the signal for a vessel constrained by her draft.