Question 150 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is D) The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel. This is because under both the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation Rules, a vessel engaged in fishing is considered a "vessel not under command" and is therefore required to not impede the passage of any other vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel. The sailing vessel, as the one that can safely navigate only within the narrow channel, has the right-of-way and the fishing vessel must not obstruct its passage. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) Both vessels should not move to the port side, as the sailing vessel has the right-of-way; B) Vessels constrained by their draft are required to display signals, but that is not the key issue here; and C) The vessels are not required to exchange signals, as the fishing vessel must yield to the sailing vessel.