Question 4958 Deck General

70% to pass

A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker, while escorting ships in ice, may sound four short and one long blasts on the whistle to indicate that the icebreaker _______________.

A is increasing speed; watch for broken ice
B has its engines full astern
C is increasing the distance between vessels
D has become beset in fast ice
AI Explanation

The correct answer is D) has become beset in fast ice. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) state that a vessel "engaged in icebreaking" shall sound four short blasts and one long blast on the whistle to indicate that the vessel is "unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel." The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the meaning of this sound signal. Increasing speed, engines in reverse, or increasing distance between vessels would not warrant this particular sound signal according to the COLREGS.

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