BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear three distinct bell strokes followed by five seconds of rapid bell ringing followed by three distinct bell strokes. What does this signal indicate?

Correct Answer: Option A — A vessel aground

Rule 35(h) requires a vessel aground to sound the prescribed anchor signal, followed by three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. This specific auditory pattern alerts nearby vessels that the ship is aground rather than merely at anchor.