In fog, if a fog signal forward of your beam is heard and you have not yet determined if risk of collision exists, to what speed should you reduce?

In fog, if a fog signal forward of your beam is heard and you have not yet determined if risk of collision exists, to what speed should you reduce?

• A. Full ahead
• B. Stop
• C. Dead slow
• D. Bare steerageway

Answer: (D)

In reduced visibility, your priority is to keep enough control and time to react to other vessels. When you hear a fog signal forward of your beam and you haven’t determined whether there’s a risk of collision, you slow to bare steerageway. This is the minimum speed at which you can still steer the vessel and maneuver if needed, giving you the best chance to observe the other vessel’s movements and take action without being carried along at a speed that makes avoiding collision harder. Stopping would remove your ability to maneuver, and going faster would reduce your reaction time and increase risk if the other vessel changes course or speed. Increase speed only after you’ve assessed the situation and know there’s no risk, or proceed with the appropriate avoidance actions if a risk is present.

In reduced visibility, your priority is to keep enough control and time to react to other vessels. When you hear a fog signal forward of your beam and you haven’t determined whether there’s a risk of collision, you slow to bare steerageway. This is the minimum speed at which you can still steer the vessel and maneuver if needed, giving you the best chance to observe the other vessel’s movements and take action without being carried along at a speed that makes avoiding collision harder. Stopping would remove your ability to maneuver, and going faster would reduce your reaction time and increase risk if the other vessel changes course or speed. Increase speed only after you’ve assessed the situation and know there’s no risk, or proceed with the appropriate avoidance actions if a risk is present.