One and two short blast signals are required to be sounded on inland waters when

One and two short blast signals are required to be sounded on inland waters when

• A. Two sailing vessels are in sight of one another and are meeting at a distance of one half mile.
• B. Two power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and are meeting at a distance of one half mile.
• C. A vessel is anchored in fog.
• D. A fishing vessel is near the shore.

Answer: (B)

On inland waters, sound signals are used to communicate your intended maneuver when another vessel is nearby, especially as you close the distance. For power-driven vessels that are in sight of each other and meeting, one short blast or two short blasts are the chosen ways to indicate your course change: one short blast means you intend to alter course to starboard, and two short blasts mean you intend to alter course to port. The distance of half a mile is the range within which these signals should be used to make your intentions clear and help avoid a collision. So the situation described—two power-driven vessels in sight of one another and meeting at about half a mile—fits this signaling rule, which is why it’s the correct scenario. The other options don’t apply: sailing vessels have different signaling expectations, and an anchored vessel in fog or a fishing vessel near shore isn’t about signaling a passing maneuver within that close range.

On inland waters, sound signals are used to communicate your intended maneuver when another vessel is nearby, especially as you close the distance. For power-driven vessels that are in sight of each other and meeting, one short blast or two short blasts are the chosen ways to indicate your course change: one short blast means you intend to alter course to starboard, and two short blasts mean you intend to alter course to port. The distance of half a mile is the range within which these signals should be used to make your intentions clear and help avoid a collision.

So the situation described—two power-driven vessels in sight of one another and meeting at about half a mile—fits this signaling rule, which is why it’s the correct scenario. The other options don’t apply: sailing vessels have different signaling expectations, and an anchored vessel in fog or a fishing vessel near shore isn’t about signaling a passing maneuver within that close range.