Question 1

You've been posted as dedicated lookout on the bridge wing at night. You sight a faint light fine on the bow but you're not sure yet what kind of vessel it is or whether it's getting closer. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Report it to the OOW immediately with whatever detail you have (bearing, roughly how it's changing) — it is the OOW's job to assess risk of collision, not yours, and a late report is far more dangerous than an uncertain one COLREGs Rule 5 requires a proper look-out "so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision" — but that appraisal is the OOW's responsibility, built from timely reports. A lookout's job is to report early and let the watchkeeping officer assess and act; waiting to be certain, or filtering what you report because you've decided it isn't important, defeats the entire purpose of posting a dedicated lookout. Delayed sightings are a recurring theme in collision investigations.

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.