Under Inland and international rules, a vessel 50 meters or more shall have what sound signal equipment?

• A. A whistle and a bell
• B. A gong
• C. A horn
• D. A whistle only

Answer: (A)

In COLREGS, large vessels must carry specific sound signaling gear to ensure they can communicate intentions and be heard in restricted visibility. For vessels 50 meters or more, the required equipment is both a whistle and a bell. The whistle is used for standard signaling patterns to indicate actions like turning or stopping, while the bell serves to announce the vessel’s presence, especially in fog or when visibility is limited. A gong isn’t specified for this purpose, and a whistle alone would miss the required bell. So the combination of a whistle and a bell is the correct requirement.