Restricted Visibility Sound Signals Practice Questions

1. Under Rule 35, a power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility shall sound which signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes?

• A.One prolonged blast✓
• B.Two prolonged blasts
• C.One prolonged and two short blasts
• D.Three short blasts

Why: Rule 35(a) requires a power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility to sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes. This distinguishes it from a vessel stopped and making no way, which sounds two prolonged blasts.

2. In restricted visibility, a vessel not under command, restricted in her ability to maneuver, sailing, or fishing shall sound which fog signal?

• A.One prolonged blast every 2 minutes
• B.Two prolonged blasts every 2 minutes
• C.One prolonged and two short blasts every 2 minutes✓
• D.Three short blasts every 2 minutes

Why: Rule 35(c) requires vessels not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, constrained by draft, sailing, fishing, or towing/pushing to sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.

3. A vessel aground in restricted visibility must sound which fog signal in addition to the bell signal?

• A.Three separate and distinct strokes on the bell before and after the rapid ringing✓
• B.One prolonged blast every 2 minutes
• C.Two prolonged blasts every 2 minutes
• D.A gong signal only

Why: Rule 35(h) requires a vessel aground to give the bell signal prescribed for anchored vessels AND additionally to give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell.

4. A vessel constrained by her draft in restricted visibility shall sound which fog signal?

• A.One prolonged blast every 2 minutes
• B.Two prolonged blasts every 2 minutes
• C.One prolonged and two short blasts every 2 minutes✓
• D.Two prolonged and one short blast every 2 minutes

Why: Rule 35(c) groups vessels constrained by their draft with vessels not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, sailing, and fishing — all must sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.

5. A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water in restricted visibility must sound:

• A.One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
• B.Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes✓
• C.One short, one prolonged, and one short blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
• D.Rapid ringing of a bell for about five seconds at one-minute intervals

Why: Rule 35(b) requires a power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way to sound two prolonged blasts in succession at intervals of not more than two minutes.