The Master must decide whether to let go the spring line now (accepting the vessel will be pushed further off the berth by wind, with no engine to control the drift) or hold onto it and risk it parting under increasing load. What should this decision be based on?

A. The spring should always be held onto regardless of load, since letting go is considered a failure of seamanship

B. A judgement of which outcome offers more control: letting go in a controlled, deliberate way (with the bow already swinging off, possibly using an anchor or fenders/other resources to manage the drift) versus risking an uncontrolled parting of the spring at an unpredictable moment, which would also create a sudden snap-back hazard for anyone nearby — a deliberate choice is safer than letting the line decide for itself by parting

C. The decision is irrelevant since the outcome will be identical either way

D. The spring should be let go immediately without any assessment of what alternative control is available afterward

A. Take no action since the spring line alone is assumed sufficient to control the vessel indefinitely

B. Immediately let go all remaining lines, assuming this will resolve the situation

C. Immediately inform the engine room directly (not just via telegraph) of the non-response, assess the vessel's current trajectory and what is still controlling it (the spring line, remaining wind effect, any tug), and prepare to use those remaining resources while engine control is investigated — do not wait passively for the engine to respond on a repeated order

D. Repeat the same telegraph order several times and wait without taking any other action

A. The spring line could be overloaded beyond its safe working load by the combination of wind force and the bow swing, risking it parting under tension — if it parts, the vessel would suddenly lose the one remaining controlling line with no engine available to compensate, and the snap-back risk to anyone near the line increases as load builds

B. The bow swinging further off the berth is the intended outcome and requires no further attention

C. The only risk is to the berth structure, not to the vessel or its mooring equipment

D. There is no increased risk; the spring line is designed to handle unlimited load regardless of wind or engine state