Question 245 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) hold course and speed. The reason this is the correct answer is that the relative position of the masthead lights on the other vessel (the forward masthead light being to the left of the after masthead light) indicates that the other vessel is a power-driven vessel overtaking you. According to the International and Inland Navigation Rules, the vessel being overtaken should maintain its course and speed, while the overtaking vessel is required to take action to safely pass. The other options are incorrect because stopping the engines (B) or altering course to port (C) would be the wrong actions for the vessel being overtaken. Sounding the danger signal (D) is not necessary in this situation, as the overtaking vessel is required to take the appropriate action to pass safely.