Coast Guard Exams
Question 4109Deck General70% to pass

A vessel proceeding along the bank of a river or channel has the tendency to _______________.

AI Explanation
The correct answer is D) sheer away from the bank. This is because a vessel proceeding along the bank of a river or channel has the tendency to sheer, or steer, away from the bank due to the Coanda effect. The Coanda effect is a phenomenon where a fluid (in this case, water) tends to follow the contours of a nearby surface. As the vessel travels along the bank, the water flowing along the hull will be deflected outward, causing the vessel to sheer or drift away from the bank. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) increasing speed would not be the natural tendency, B) hugging the bank would go against the Coanda effect, and C) continuing in line with the bank would not account for the outward deflection of the water flow.

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