The whistle signal for a vessel operating astern propulsion is?

The whistle signal for a vessel operating astern propulsion is?

• A. 3 short blasts
• B. One long blast
• C. Two short blasts
• D. One short blast

Answer: (A)

Three short blasts alert other vessels that you are operating astern propulsion. When a vessel is in reverse, it reverses its thrust to back away or maneuver backward, and three rapid short blasts provide a clear, audible signal that backward propulsion is underway. This helps nearby craft understand your immediate movement and adjust accordingly to avoid collision or contact. The other patterns—one long, two short, or a single short—are reserved for different maneuvers or communications and do not specifically indicate backing propulsion, so they don’t fit this situation.

Three short blasts alert other vessels that you are operating astern propulsion. When a vessel is in reverse, it reverses its thrust to back away or maneuver backward, and three rapid short blasts provide a clear, audible signal that backward propulsion is underway. This helps nearby craft understand your immediate movement and adjust accordingly to avoid collision or contact. The other patterns—one long, two short, or a single short—are reserved for different maneuvers or communications and do not specifically indicate backing propulsion, so they don’t fit this situation.