When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean

When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean

• A. I intend to leave you on my port side.
• B. I intend to pass on your starboard side.
• C. I am altering course to starboard.
• D. I want to overtake you.

Answer: (A)

In crossing situations, sound signals tell the other vessel what you plan to do so actions can be coordinated. A single short blast from a power-driven vessel means I intend to leave you on my port side, so I will pass you on your left. This matches the statement describing leaving you on my port side. The idea of passing on the starboard side would be communicated with two short blasts, and signals about altering course or overtaking use different sounds, so they don’t fit this one-short-blast case.

In crossing situations, sound signals tell the other vessel what you plan to do so actions can be coordinated. A single short blast from a power-driven vessel means I intend to leave you on my port side, so I will pass you on your left. This matches the statement describing leaving you on my port side. The idea of passing on the starboard side would be communicated with two short blasts, and signals about altering course or overtaking use different sounds, so they don’t fit this one-short-blast case.