Question 1

Sign-off of a trainee OOW's watchkeeping competence, including COLREGs application, is purely an administrative record-keeping task for the Chief Officer, since the trainee's underlying knowledge was already tested and certified by the MCA at their oral exam.

Accepted Answer

False False. Passing the MCA oral exam demonstrates knowledge; competence sign-off onboard is meant to verify that knowledge translates into safe, consistent application under real watchkeeping conditions — traffic, fatigue, commercial pressure, multi-rule situations the exam can only simulate. A Chief Officer treating sign-off as a rubber stamp, rather than genuine observed assessment, undermines the entire point of the STCW competence framework.

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.