How do you notify of a collision once it has occurred?

Notifying the crew of a collision is critical for ensuring that all personnel are aware of the situation and can take appropriate action. Piping a report to the crew communicates the details of the incident effectively, allowing the crew to respond quickly to ensure safety measures are put in place, conduct damage assessments, and manage emergency procedures if necessary.

The other options may seem relevant in certain contexts but do not appropriately address the immediate need to communicate about a collision. Sounding the fire alarm, for example, is not suitable unless there is an active fire situation, while securing all navigational devices does not inform the crew of the incident and could impede response efforts. Abandoning ship without assessing the situation and alerting the crew would be a drastic measure, potentially leading to confusion and unnecessary panic among the crew.

By piping a report, the crew maintains situational awareness and can coordinate effectively to manage the aftermath of the collision.