You are approaching another vessel and will pass starboard to starboard without danger if no course changes are made. You should—

You are approaching another vessel and will pass starboard to starboard without danger if no course changes are made. You should—

• A. Hold course and sound no whistle signal.
• B. Sound two short blasts.
• C. Sound five short blasts.
• D. Sound one prolonged blast.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that whistle signals are used to communicate when you plan to alter course or speed or warn of a maneuver in a situation where there could be a risk of collision. If you can pass safely by simply maintaining your current course and speed, no signal is needed. In this scenario you are approaching another vessel and, if both keep their current headings and speeds, you will pass starboard to starboard without danger. That means there’s no action to communicate and no risk to mitigate, so you should hold your course and refrain from signaling. The other options would imply an intended action or warning that isn’t required here: two short blasts would suggest an intended maneuver or message about passing, the five short blasts signal danger or a need for immediate action, and a single prolonged blast is not the appropriate signal for this crossing.

The key idea is that whistle signals are used to communicate when you plan to alter course or speed or warn of a maneuver in a situation where there could be a risk of collision. If you can pass safely by simply maintaining your current course and speed, no signal is needed.

In this scenario you are approaching another vessel and, if both keep their current headings and speeds, you will pass starboard to starboard without danger. That means there’s no action to communicate and no risk to mitigate, so you should hold your course and refrain from signaling. The other options would imply an intended action or warning that isn’t required here: two short blasts would suggest an intended maneuver or message about passing, the five short blasts signal danger or a need for immediate action, and a single prolonged blast is not the appropriate signal for this crossing.