Question 13

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (Correct):** Option A states, "Slow to minimum to maintain course and navigate with caution." This action is required by Rule 19(e)(i) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which governs the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. Rule 19(e) specifically addresses what a vessel must do upon hearing the fog signal of another vessel apparently forward of the beam, or upon detecting a vessel forward of the beam by radar. The rule mandates that the vessel shall: 1. **Reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course.** This is often referred to as "bare steerageway." 2. **If necessary, take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution.** Therefore, slowing to the minimum speed required to maintain steerage and navigating cautiously is the precise legal requirement under the COLREGs. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **B) Slow to moderate speed and navigate with caution:** A "moderate" speed is not low enough to satisfy the requirements of Rule 19(e). The rule requires reducing speed to the *minimum* necessary for steerage (bare steerageway), reflecting the extreme danger of navigating near another vessel in restricted visibility. * **C) Stop engines and navigate with caution:** While Rule 19(e) states you should "if necessary, take all her way off (stop engines)," this is an extreme measure. The *initial* requirement is to reduce speed to the minimum to maintain course. Stopping entirely and losing steerage may not be safe or appropriate immediately, especially if you need to maneuver slightly. Option A represents the primary and most comprehensive initial mandatory action. * **D) Maintain speed and sound five short and rapid blasts:** * **Maintain speed:** This is fundamentally contrary to Rule 19(e), which requires mandatory speed reduction. * **Sound five short and rapid blasts:** This signal is the danger/doubt signal (Rule 34(d)), used when a vessel doubts the intentions of another vessel. While doubt may exist, the primary requirement in restricted visibility upon hearing a forward signal is the mandatory speed reduction and caution. Furthermore, the danger signal does not replace the mandated action of slowing down.