The whistle signal for a vessel altering her course to starboard is? (International)

The whistle signal for a vessel altering her course to starboard is? (International)

• A. 1 short blast
• B. 1 prolonged blast
• C. 2 short blasts
• D. 3 short blasts

Answer: (A)

International whistle signals use short blasts to indicate maneuvers needed to avoid collisions. A single short blast is the standard signal that the vessel intends to alter her course to starboard (to the right). This quick, distinct sound tells nearby vessels which side you plan to pass on and prompts them to adjust accordingly. If you intended to steer to port, you would signal with two short blasts. Prolonged or multiple short blasts are used for other signaling contexts, not for indicating a turn to starboard, so they don’t fit this specific maneuver. Thus, one short blast is the correct signal for changing course to starboard.

International whistle signals use short blasts to indicate maneuvers needed to avoid collisions. A single short blast is the standard signal that the vessel intends to alter her course to starboard (to the right). This quick, distinct sound tells nearby vessels which side you plan to pass on and prompts them to adjust accordingly. If you intended to steer to port, you would signal with two short blasts. Prolonged or multiple short blasts are used for other signaling contexts, not for indicating a turn to starboard, so they don’t fit this specific maneuver. Thus, one short blast is the correct signal for changing course to starboard.