Your 80-ton schooner is hove to on the starboard tack under storm trysail and fore- staysail in 45 knots of wind. Your heading is averaging about 000° true and the wind is from the northeast. There is a dangerous shoal bearing 270° true, range 5 miles. Which action would be appropriate?

Correct Answer: Option B — You should tack or jibe to the port tack and make all possible headway to the south.

With a dangerous lee shore bearing due west (270° true) at 5 miles and northeast winds driving leeway toward it, remaining hove to on the starboard tack is fatal. Tacking or jibing to the port tack establishes a southerly heading, maximizing sea room away from the hazard.