You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your FIRST signal should be

You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your FIRST signal should be

• A. Two short blasts.
• B. One short blast.
• C. One long blast.
• D. Three short blasts.

Answer: (A)

In overtaking another vessel, you must use whistle signals to communicate your intended maneuver. If you want to pass on the other vessel’s starboard side, the first signal you should send is two short blasts. This specific signal tells the other vessel that you intend to overtake and that she will lie on your starboard side as you pass, giving both of you a chance to adjust course safely. One short blast isn’t the overtaking signal in this context, and a long blast isn’t used to indicate overtaking. Three short blasts would convey a different overtaking indication (typically related to passing on the port side). So two short blasts is the correct first signal for passing on the starboard side.

In overtaking another vessel, you must use whistle signals to communicate your intended maneuver. If you want to pass on the other vessel’s starboard side, the first signal you should send is two short blasts. This specific signal tells the other vessel that you intend to overtake and that she will lie on your starboard side as you pass, giving both of you a chance to adjust course safely.

One short blast isn’t the overtaking signal in this context, and a long blast isn’t used to indicate overtaking. Three short blasts would convey a different overtaking indication (typically related to passing on the port side). So two short blasts is the correct first signal for passing on the starboard side.