BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel making way in dense fog. You observe what appears to be another vessel on radar half a mile distant on your port bow and closing. You must take which action?
• Rule 35 – Sound signals in restricted visibility for power-driven vessels making way • Difference between maneuvering/passing signals and restricted visibility sound signals • When the danger signal (five or more short, rapid blasts) is required
• Ask yourself: In dense fog, are you required to follow the passing-signal rules or the restricted-visibility sound-signal rules? • Think about what sound a power-driven vessel making way must give at regular intervals when you cannot see other vessels. • Consider whether you are already in sight of the other vessel, or only detecting it by radar. How does that change which rule applies?
• Verify under Rule 35 what sound signal is prescribed for a power-driven vessel making way in or near an area of restricted visibility. • Check whether passing signals (one short, two short, etc.) are limited to vessels in sight of one another under the steering and sailing rules. • Confirm the specific situations when the danger signal is required, and whether mere radar contact in fog triggers that signal.
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