Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency – COLREGs Practice Test

The manoeuvring signal for "I am altering my course to starboard" is signified by two short blasts. This signal is part of the sound signals outlined in the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), which describe the communications and actions to be taken by vessels to convey their intentions while at sea.

When a vessel intends to indicate a change in direction to starboard, it must perform two short blasts. This method not only helps other vessels understand the intentions of the navigating ship but also assists in maintaining safe navigation and preventing potential collisions.

In the context of sound signals, one long blast generally signals a vessel's presence, while one short blast indicates the intention to alter course to port. Three short blasts are used to indicate that the vessel is operating astern propulsion or going backward. Thus, understanding the correct signals is crucial for safe maritime communication.

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