Question 559 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) A vessel engaged in mineclearing. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is defined as "a vessel engaged in... the laying, servicing or picking up of a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline, or undertaking a survey, underwater operations, or a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions, cargo or fuel." This includes a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations. The other options are incorrect because: A) A vessel that has lost the use of its steering gear would be considered a "not under command" vessel, not a "restricted in her ability to maneuver" vessel. C) A vessel with a draft too deep to change course would not necessarily be "restricted in her ability to maneuver." D) A fishing vessel, while having some restrictions, is not considered "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the COLREGS.