Question 1

Reviewing a passage plan before departure, your examiner asks: "What COLREGs-related risk factors should a Chief Officer specifically be checking for at the planning stage, rather than leaving to the OOW to react to on watch?"

Accepted Answer

Known narrow channels and TSS transits on the route (and whether Rule 9/10 crossing angles and reporting requirements like CALDOVREP are built into the plan), areas of predictable high traffic density or fishing activity, any point where the route passes through or near a TSS in restricted-visibility-prone waters, and pre-agreed contingency/abort points — building this in at the planning stage turns COLREGs compliance from a reactive, in-the-moment judgement call into something the OOW is already prepared for This connects Area 1 (passage planning) and Area 2 (COLREGs) — a distinction command-level orals specifically probe, since a Master/Chief Mate is expected to reduce watchkeeping risk through preparation, not just trust the OOW to apply the rules correctly under pressure with no advance warning of where the tricky water is.

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.