You are aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel with headway on. The engine is put full astern and the rudder hard left. What will the bow do?

Correct Answer: Option C — It will swing to the left, straighten out and then swing to the right as the vessel loses way.

With headway, the rudder is effective, causing an initial swing to the left. As the vessel loses way, the rudder loses effectiveness, and the right-handed propeller's transverse thrust (backing force) becomes dominant, pushing the stern to starboard and causing the bow to swing to the right.