Question 1

At night, you're told to keep a lookout for a vessel showing red and green sidelights plus a white masthead light, expected somewhere ahead. What kind of vessel are you looking for, in simple terms?

Accepted Answer

A power-driven vessel underway, seen roughly from ahead — sidelights show her port/starboard sides and the masthead light confirms she's a power-driven vessel making way, not at anchor or under sail alone This is the basic light picture every rating should recognise on sight: red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights plus a white masthead light means a power-driven vessel underway, seen from roughly ahead. A vessel at anchor shows plain white all-round lights only, with no sidelights. A sailing vessel under sail alone does not show a masthead light — that's one of the ways you tell a genuine sailing vessel from a power-driven one at night.

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.