Question 451 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) "I am altering my course to starboard." According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, each vessel shall alter its course to starboard to pass on the port side of the other vessel. The one-short-blast signal indicates that the vessel is altering course to starboard, which is the proper action in this head-on situation. The other options are incorrect because: A) holding course and speed is not the appropriate action in a head-on situation, B) altering course to port would cause the vessels to collide, and D) leaving the other vessel on the port side goes against the COLREGS requirement to pass on the port side.