United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

What should a vessel do if it is about to collide with another and cannot take evasive action?

1. Sound a continuous blast

2. Signal the vessel to alter its course

3. Heave to and await instructions

4. Stop engines and sound danger signal

The correct answer is: Stop engines and sound danger signal

In a situation where a vessel is about to collide with another and cannot take evasive action, the appropriate response is to stop the engines and sound a danger signal. This action serves multiple purposes. First, stopping the engines helps to reduce the vessel's speed, thereby potentially minimizing the impact of a collision if it does occur. It also allows the crew to assess the situation more clearly and prepares the vessel for any actions that may be necessary afterward. Sounding a danger signal is critical communication to inform nearby vessels of the immediate peril. By using this signal, other vessels can be made aware of the emergency situation, allowing them to adjust their maneuvers if possible to avoid the collision. In maritime navigation, the intention is always to make safety a priority, and signaling danger is a vital part of that preventative strategy. Other actions, such as signaling the other vessel to alter its course or heaving to, may not effectively communicate the urgency of the situation, nor would they guarantee space or time to avoid a collision. Sounding a continuous blast could alert nearby vessels but doesn't convey the specific danger of an impending collision as effectively as a designated danger signal would.