A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. What fog signal should she sound?

A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. What fog signal should she sound?

• A. One short blast
• B. Two short blasts
• C. One prolonged and two short blasts
• D. Two prolonged blasts

Answer: (C)

In restricted visibility, ships use standardized sound signals to show status and intentions so others can avoid collisions. A sailing vessel that is under way (not at anchor) and making way in fog should sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. The long blast carries farther and the two short blasts after it create a recognizable pattern that communicates that the vessel is moving in fog. This helps nearby vessels understand that you’re not stopped and helps them decide how to alter course or speed. The other signal patterns do not match this established pattern for a sailing vessel in fog, so they would not convey the same clear message of being underway in reduced visibility.

In restricted visibility, ships use standardized sound signals to show status and intentions so others can avoid collisions. A sailing vessel that is under way (not at anchor) and making way in fog should sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. The long blast carries farther and the two short blasts after it create a recognizable pattern that communicates that the vessel is moving in fog. This helps nearby vessels understand that you’re not stopped and helps them decide how to alter course or speed. The other signal patterns do not match this established pattern for a sailing vessel in fog, so they would not convey the same clear message of being underway in reduced visibility.