When nearing a bend, the one prolonged blast signal is answered by which action?

When nearing a bend, the one prolonged blast signal is answered by which action?

• A. Return one prolonged blast
• B. Stop and wait
• C. Answer with a hearing around the bend or behind obstruction
• D. Sound two short blasts

Answer: (C)

When visibility is limited and you’re approaching a bend or there’s an obstruction, sound signals become the primary way to communicate your presence and intentions. If you hear a vessel’s one prolonged blast, you may not be able to see them, so the proper response is to acknowledge by sending a signal that can be heard around the bend or behind the obstruction. This ensures the other vessel knows you’ve heard them and helps coordinate safe passage. This approach is preferred because it directly confirms receipt of the signal in a situation where sight is blocked, reducing the risk of collision. Echoing the blast, stopping and waiting, or using a different blast pattern does not provide the same immediate acknowledgment to the other vessel around an obstruction.

When visibility is limited and you’re approaching a bend or there’s an obstruction, sound signals become the primary way to communicate your presence and intentions. If you hear a vessel’s one prolonged blast, you may not be able to see them, so the proper response is to acknowledge by sending a signal that can be heard around the bend or behind the obstruction. This ensures the other vessel knows you’ve heard them and helps coordinate safe passage.

This approach is preferred because it directly confirms receipt of the signal in a situation where sight is blocked, reducing the risk of collision. Echoing the blast, stopping and waiting, or using a different blast pattern does not provide the same immediate acknowledgment to the other vessel around an obstruction.