Question 43

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for B (Correct Answer):** Option B, "I intend to leave you on my starboard side," is the correct interpretation for two short blasts given by a power-driven vessel when meeting another vessel in U.S. Inland waters. Under the Inland Navigation Rules (Rule 34(a)(i)), when vessels are in sight of one another: * **One short blast** signifies: "I intend to leave you on my port side" (equivalent to altering course to starboard). * **Two short blasts** signify: "I intend to leave you on my starboard side" (equivalent to altering course to port). * **Three short blasts** signify: "I am operating astern propulsion." The phrase "I intend to leave you on my starboard side" precisely communicates the maneuver initiated by the vessel sounding the signal. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **A) "I am altering my course to port."** While altering course to port is the action a vessel takes when intending to leave the other vessel on its starboard side, Inland Rules require the signal to state the *intent relative to the passing vessel* ("I intend to leave you on my starboard side") rather than just the course alteration. * **C) "I intend to leave you on my port side."** This signal is communicated by **one short blast**, not two. * **D) "I am altering my course to starboard."** This signal would result in the vessel intending to leave the other vessel on its port side and is communicated by **one short blast**, not two.