Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

• A. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
• B. The vessel must sound a fog signal every hour.
• C. The fog signal is only required at night.
• D. The fog signal is required if other traffic is present.

Answer: (A)

Vessels that are anchored in areas designated as special anchorage areas approved by the Secretary have an exception to the usual fog signal rules. In these zones, the requirement to sound a fog signal does not apply to vessels at anchor. The length of the vessel isn’t a factor here—the exemption is the result of the area’s designation to help manage traffic and reduce noise in a controlled harbor environment. So, in this scenario, the vessel does not have to sound a fog signal while anchored in that special anchorage area. The other options would only matter outside or outside that exemption—for example, signals are typically tied to being underway or to general restricted-visibility rules, not tied to the presence of other traffic within a designated anchor area.