You are aboard a single-screw vessel (right-hand propeller) going full ahead with good headway. The engine is put astern and the rudder is placed hard left. The stern of the vessel will swing to __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — starboard until headway is lost and then to port

A right-handed propeller creates transverse thrust to starboard when backing. With headway, the rudder is initially effective, swinging the stern to port. As headway is lost, the propeller's sidewise force dominates, causing the stern to swing to starboard. This is a classic maneuver in single-screw ship handling.