You are approaching a UK port when fog drops visibility to 200m. The pilot is due to board at the pilot station. What actions do you take?

A. Proceed into port without the pilot — Rule 19 restrictions make pilotage impractical in fog. The master can navigate independently using ARPA and ECDIS.

B. Continue the approach at reduced speed. Port pilots have local knowledge and once the pilot is on board, they take responsibility for navigating in fog.

C. Increase speed to reach the pilot station before the fog worsens. Once the pilot is on board, the vessel can slow for the remainder of the approach.

D. FOG ON PORT APPROACH — ACTIONS: (1) CALL MASTER: immediately — port approach in 200m visibility requires master presence; (2) PILOT STATION: contact the port/pilot station by VHF — advise them of current visibility. Pilot boarding in 200m visibility in the pilot boarding area may not be safe — the pilot vessel may not be able to operate in these conditions; (3) REDUCE SPEED: immediately slow to safe speed — at 200m visibility, dead slow is appropriate; (4) ASSESS OPTIONS: (a) Wait offshore: anchor or hold off at sea in a safe position until visibility improves. This is usually the correct course — do NOT press on to port in 200m visibility if it can be avoided; (b) Proceed without pilot: only if port regulations permit and master is competent for the port without pilotage; (5) PORT CONTROL / VTS: contact port VTS — advise reduced visibility and your position. Seek their advice on whether the port is accepting traffic in these conditions. Some ports close to vessel movements in extreme fog; (6) ANCHOR SELECTION: identify a suitable anchorage within reach — outside approach channels and shipping lanes; (7) COMPANY NOTIFICATION: advise DPA and commercial operator of delay — prepare for a commercial delay if waiting for visibility to improve; (8) MAIB: if visibility is causing navigational concern in a mandatory pilot port — this is a SMS trigger; (9) LOG: document time, visibility, actions, communications.

A. COLREG RULE 19 — CONDUCT IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY: Rule 19 applies to ANY vessel not in sight of another. Key requirements: (1) RULE 19(b) — SAFE SPEED: proceed at a safe speed adapted to prevailing circumstances and restricted visibility. The vessel must be able to take proper and effective action to avoid collision, and stop within an appropriate distance; (2) RULE 19(c) — RADAR: have due regard to prevailing circumstances, including the limitations of radar equipment; (3) RULE 19(d) — RADAR-ONLY CONTACT: a vessel that detects by radar only another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing. If so — take early, substantial avoiding action: (i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam is to be AVOIDED (except when overtaking); (ii) avoid altering course toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam; (4) RULE 19(e) — SOUND SIGNAL WARNING: if a sound signal is heard apparently forward of the beam and its vessel cannot be seen — reduce to minimum speed or stop. Take all way off if necessary; (5) RULE 35 — FOG SIGNALS: one prolonged blast (4-6 seconds) every 2 minutes when underway making way. Two prolonged blasts (2-second interval) every 2 minutes when underway but stopped. RULE 19 DOES NOT APPLY RULES 11-18 (in-sight rules). There is no give-way/stand-on in restricted visibility. All vessels take action to avoid collision.

B. Rule 19 suspends all other COLREG rules in fog. No vessel has right of way in fog, and any vessel may alter course in any direction to avoid collision.

C. Rule 19 requires vessels in restricted visibility to stop and anchor until visibility improves to at least 1nm before proceeding.

D. In restricted visibility, the stand-on vessel (Rule 17) must maintain course and speed even in fog. Rule 19 only applies to give-way vessels.

A. All vessels in restricted visibility sound one prolonged blast every 2 minutes regardless of their status. Rule 35 makes no distinction between underway, stopped, or at anchor.

B. RULE 35 FOG SIGNALS — CORRECT SIGNALS: (a) POWER VESSEL UNDERWAY MAKING WAY (Rule 35a): ONE prolonged blast (4-6 seconds) — every 2 minutes; (b) POWER VESSEL UNDERWAY BUT STOPPED (Rule 35b): TWO prolonged blasts with 2-second interval — every 2 minutes; (c) VESSEL AT ANCHOR (Rule 35g): rapid ringing of bell for approximately 5 seconds — every 1 minute. Vessels of 100m+ ALSO sound a gong aft for 5 seconds after the bell. A vessel at anchor MAY ALSO sound "short-long-short" (Morse R —. — .) as a warning to approaching vessels; (d) VESSEL AGROUND (Rule 35h): three separate bell strokes, THEN rapid ringing of bell for 5 seconds, THEN three separate bell strokes — every 1 minute. This sequence distinguishes a vessel aground from one merely at anchor. ADDITIONAL SIGNALS: sailing vessel under sail — Rule 35c: one prolonged + two short blasts every 2 minutes (this same signal is also used by vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre, constrained by draught, not under command, and towing/being towed — Rule 35d/e); pilot vessel — Rule 35g: normal fog signal + four short blasts as identity signal.

C. A vessel at anchor does not need to sound fog signals provided she has all-round white anchor lights displayed and is monitoring VHF Ch 16.

D. Two short blasts is the correct fog signal for a power vessel underway making way. One prolonged blast is used only by sailing vessels.