Which signal would indicate a vessel anchored in fog when interpreted as a whistle signal?

Which signal would indicate a vessel anchored in fog when interpreted as a whistle signal?

• A. One prolonged blast every two minutes
• B. Two short blasts
• C. One short, a prolonged, and a short
• D. A long blast followed by two short blasts

Answer: (C)

In fog, vessels use whistle signals to convey status clearly, so others can take appropriate action. The signal that identifies a vessel as anchored is a three-blast pattern: one short blast, then a prolonged blast, and then another short blast. This short–long–short sequence stands out and is understood to mean the vessel is fixed at anchor, not proceeding, which helps nearby vessels decide how to maneuver safely. The other patterns don’t communicate anchored status as unambiguously in this context. A single prolonged blast at intervals of about two minutes can also be associated with anchored status in some references, but the three-blast short–long–short pattern is the distinctive whistle signal used to indicate that the vessel is anchored. Patterns consisting of two short blasts or a long followed by two short blasts are associated with different communications and would not indicate anchoring.

In fog, vessels use whistle signals to convey status clearly, so others can take appropriate action. The signal that identifies a vessel as anchored is a three-blast pattern: one short blast, then a prolonged blast, and then another short blast. This short–long–short sequence stands out and is understood to mean the vessel is fixed at anchor, not proceeding, which helps nearby vessels decide how to maneuver safely.

The other patterns don’t communicate anchored status as unambiguously in this context. A single prolonged blast at intervals of about two minutes can also be associated with anchored status in some references, but the three-blast short–long–short pattern is the distinctive whistle signal used to indicate that the vessel is anchored. Patterns consisting of two short blasts or a long followed by two short blasts are associated with different communications and would not indicate anchoring.