USCG Exam PracticeRule 19 — Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
A vessel is navigating in restricted visibility. She is not in sight of any other vessel. She hears a fog signal apparently forward of her beam and simultaneously her radar shows no contacts. Under Rule 19, which statement best describes her obligations?
- A. Because radar shows no contacts, risk of collision is determined not to exist and no speed reduction is required
- ✓ She must reduce speed to minimum steerage, take all way off if necessary, and navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over, unless risk of collision has been determined not to existCorrect
- C. She need only sound the appropriate fog signal in reply and maintain her current speed
- D. Rule 19 does not apply because the vessels are not in sight of one another
Why B is correct
33 CFR §83.19(e) applies whenever a vessel hears a fog signal apparently forward of her beam, except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist. A radar showing no contact does not by itself conclusively establish that no risk exists; the rule's speed reduction and caution requirements remain in force unless risk of collision has been positively determined not to exist. Rule 19 applies precisely because the vessels are not in sight of one another per 33 CFR §83.19(a).