You are master of a 35m pilot vessel and have located a person in the water approximately 200m ahead. Weather is Beaufort 4, visibility good, sea temperature 9 degrees Celsius. Describe your approach and rescue procedure.

A. Approach: reduce speed significantly; manoeuvre to put the casualty on the lee side for recovery (shelter from wind and waves); approach slowly downwind or down-sea so the vessel drifts towards and not away from the casualty; have a throwing line and lifebuoy ready; designate a continuous lookout on the casualty; do not allow propeller to come near the casualty. Recovery: if conscious, use a lifebuoy and line; if unconscious or unable to assist, deploy recovery net/rescue sling or use a crew member in an immersion suit with safety line; use the vessel's freeboard to advantage — smaller vessels can place crew closer to the water. Sea temperature 9 degrees: cold water incapacitation occurs within minutes — priority is speed of recovery and preventing further immersion. Call MRCC on Ch 16 and begin first aid on recovery.

B. Stop engines and drift to the casualty — this is the safest approach as it eliminates propeller risk. Allow at least 10 minutes for the vessel to drift to the casualty's position.

C. A standard Williamson Turn is the required procedure. Complete the turn before reducing speed or deploying any equipment.

D. Approach directly into wind — this gives maximum speed control. Keep the casualty on the starboard side to maintain COLREGs right of way over other vessels.

A. A Master (STCW II/3) certificate authorises command of ships of less than 500 GT engaged on near-coastal voyages only. It does not authorise command on international unrestricted voyages or on vessels 500 GT and above. "Near-coastal" is defined by the flag state — in UK practice, MCA defines near-coastal voyages as voyages within defined sea areas relative to the UK coastline. To command vessels 500 GT+ or on worldwide voyages, a Master Unlimited (STCW II/2) certificate is required. A Master < 3000 GT Unlimited covers larger vessels but is typically combined with the Chief Mate Unlimited examination in MCA practice.

B. The STCW II/3 certificate authorises command of any vessel provided it is engaged in domestic trade. There is no size restriction if the voyage remains within national territorial waters.

C. A Master < 500 GT NC certificate authorises command of all vessels less than 500 GT anywhere in the world. The "near-coastal" designation applies to the vessel type, not the voyage area.

D. The certificate is identical to OOW < 500 GT NC. The only difference is the title — both authorise the same operational functions.

A. Under the MCA Workboat Code (2nd Edition), CTVs and workboats must carry a Stability Booklet approved by the MCA or a Recognised Organisation. The booklet must contain loading conditions relevant to the vessel's operational profile. For offshore CTVs, specific loading conditions must include: personnel transfer (maximum persons), cargo runs, and light ship. The operator must complete a pre-departure stability check for each sailing condition. The IMO IS Code 2008 intact stability criteria apply: GM minimum 0.15m; GZ criteria; weather criterion. Some workboats may have additional class-specific criteria. The Workboat Code requires vessels to operate within the ranges defined in the approved stability booklet at all times.

B. Vessels under 100 GT are exempt from stability documentation requirements under the Workboat Code. The master decides whether the vessel is stable based on experience.

C. Stability requirements for workboats are set by the vessel's insurer. The MCA approves the insurer's criteria and the master follows the insurer's stability guidance.

D. Only passenger vessels need an approved Stability Booklet. CTVs under the Workboat Code use a simplified load assessment based on the vessel's freeboard only.