Question 1

Your examiner asks you to list, from memory, at least five recognised distress signals under Annex IV to COLREGs.

Accepted Answer

Any of: a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute; continuous sounding of any fog-signalling apparatus; rockets or shells throwing red stars, fired one at a time at short intervals; SOS by radiotelegraphy or any other signalling method (including Morse light); the spoken word "Mayday" by radiotelephony; the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.; a signal of a square flag with a ball, or anything resembling a ball, above or below it; flames on the vessel (e.g. from a burning tar barrel); a rocket parachute flare or hand flare showing a red light; orange smoke signal; slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side; a distress alert by DSC; signals from EPIRBs; and a piece of orange canvas with a black square/circle for identification from the air Annex IV is comprehensive and rarely revised in full by candidates who focus only on the numbered steering/sailing/lights rules — but an examiner can reasonably ask for "at least five" and expect a candidate to draw from this genuinely long list without hesitation, since recognising a genuine distress signal (versus, say, ordinary pyrotechnic use, a firework display, or a company logo light) is a real safety-of-life skill, not just an exam formality.

Question 2

Rule 5 (Look-out) requires every vessel at all times to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions — and this duty applies even when the vessel is at anchor in a busy anchorage.

Accepted Answer

True True. Rule 5 applies 'at all times' and to 'every vessel'. A vessel at anchor in a busy anchorage still needs an effective look-out to detect drifting vessels, dragging anchors, or approaching traffic that may pose a risk of collision or contact.

Question 3

Under Rule 6 (Safe Speed), a vessel fitted with a fully operational radar and ARPA never needs to reduce speed in restricted visibility, because the equipment guarantees early detection of other vessels.

Accepted Answer

False False. Rule 6 explicitly lists radar capability as one factor to consider, but also requires accounting for the state of visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, and the limitations of radar (range scale, sea/rain clutter, blind sectors). Even a vessel with excellent radar must proceed at a speed that allows proper and effective action to avoid collision and to be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances.