Coast Guard Exams
Question 42Rules of the Road90% to pass

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, which action shall she take?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is C) keep out of the way of the other vessel. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), when two sailing vessels are approaching one another and it is not possible to determine with certainty which vessel has the wind on its port or starboard side, the vessel that cannot determine the other's situation must keep out of the way of the other vessel. This is stated in Rule 12(c) of the COLREGS. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) turning to port and coming into the wind may not be the safest action if the other vessel has the wind on its starboard side; B) holding course and speed is not the appropriate action when the situation is unclear; and D) sounding the danger signal does not address the requirement to keep out of the way of the other vessel.

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