INLAND ONLY Power-driven vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take?

Correct Answer: Option B — The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.

Inland Rule 34(a) mandates that power-driven vessels meeting head-on or nearly so shall exchange one short blast to pass port-to-port. However, when vessels are to pass starboard-to-starboard, they must exchange two short blasts. This signal confirms the intent to deviate from the standard port-to-port passing arrangement.