You are master of a 95 GT pilot launch and need to shelter from deteriorating weather. You identify a bay offering some shelter but it has a 2.5m charted depth in the centre. Your vessel draws 2.1m. Is this suitable, and what do you check?

A. Suitability: marginal — available UKC is 0.4m at chart datum (lowest astronomical tide). Must check: current state of tide and height above datum; predicted tidal range during the intended stay; bottom composition for holding ground; wave period and height in the bay; wind direction vs shelter provided; any charted obstructions, cables, or anchoring restrictions; vessel swinging arc and depth across the full swing radius. At 2.1m draft, a minimum 0.5m UKC requires at least 2.6m of water — this is 0.1m above chart datum, so at least 0.1m of tide is required and you must not be there at low water unless the tidal range will give more water throughout your stay. In deteriorating weather, the risk-benefit of reduced shelter vs. insufficient depth must be carefully assessed.

B. Chart datum represents the average low tide. With 0.4m UKC at datum there will always be more water available — proceed to anchor.

C. A 2.5m charted depth is suitable for a vessel drawing 2.1m regardless of the tidal state. The chart was surveyed at mean low water springs.

D. Anchor in the deepest available part of the bay. For a vessel under 100 GT, UKC requirements do not apply — only the prevention of grounding matters.

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.