Question 973 Rules of the Road

90% to pass

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle. What does this signal indicate?

A A vessel towing
B A vessel being towed
C A vessel engaged in pilotage duty
D A vessel aground
AI Explanation

The correct answer is A) A vessel towing. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), Rule 34(c), a vessel towing another vessel shall sound "one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts" on the whistle or horn while underway and in fog. This signal indicates that the vessel is towing another vessel behind it. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not match the prescribed sound signal in the COLREGS for a vessel being towed (B), a vessel engaged in pilotage duty (C), or a vessel aground (D).

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