The tug Vegesack was towing a barge engaged in“stone-fishing”in the vicinity of the Beach End buoy in Harwich Channel.Tug and tow were part of a dredging programme.During the dredging contract,the practice was for the dredging craft,Vegesack,to nominate the passing side for vessels.
The barge was difficult to control in tidal and traffic conditions,and the master needed to exercise considerable skill and anticipation,as well as having to liaise closely with VTS and passing vessels.The German master had been issued with a pilotage exemption certificate and had been operating in the channel for nearly two months before the incident.
The ferry Dana Anglia was outbound from Harwich in daylight and GOOD visibility.When she was close to North Shelf buoy,VTS called Vegesack and agreed that Vegesack,who was in the middle of the channel,would move to the north side.This would enable both Dana Anglia and Bencomo,an inbound vessel currently passing No5 buoy,to pass to the south.VTS gave this passing information to the two vessels.
While passing Platters buoy,Bencomo called Vegesack,requesting her to move to the north.Vegesack said she was going to move to the Harwich(or south)side,and instructed Bencomo to pass to the north.VTS then intervened and confirmed with Vegesack that she wanted both vessels to pass to the north.At this time,Dana Anglia was approaching North West Beach buoy and could see Vegesack heading south,in contravention to what she had been asked to do and had agreed.
Vegesack then started turning to the north.Dana Anglia sounded her whistle and put her engines to full astern.Vegesack then passed close down the starboard side of Dana Anglia.
问题:
Vegesack and her tow ________.
A.were laying stones into the channel to make the navigation more safer
B.were fishing in the channel
C.were passing vessels in the channel
D.were dredging in the channel by picking-up stones