Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow. What action(s) are you required to take if danger of collision exists?

When your vessel is underway in reduced visibility and you detect the fog signal of another vessel at an angle of about 30° on your starboard bow, it indicates that there is a potential risk of collision. In such situations, the appropriate action to take is to reduce your speed to bare steerageway. This approach provides several benefits:

1. Safety: Reducing speed allows for better maneuverability and provides more time to react in case the situation develops further, thereby enhancing safety.
2. Control: Operating at bare steerageway means that you can still maintain control over your vessel's direction without being overly fast, which is crucial in poor visibility conditions where your ability to see the surrounding environment is limited.
3. Compliance with Rules: Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), vessels are required to take adequate precautions during times of reduced visibility, which includes reducing speed to avoid potential collisions.

Increasing speed to pass fast or maintaining course and speed can lead to a higher likelihood of collision because it reduces the time for reaction and distance to alter course if necessary. Sounding your horn is important to signal your presence, but it does not directly address the immediate need for avoiding a collision