Question 1

At 2240, ARPA shows the fishing vessel's CPA at 0.017 NM with a TCPA of 6 minutes — effectively a collision course. Your company's Standing Orders require calling the Master when CPA falls below 3 NM and TCPA below 30 minutes for fishing traffic. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Call the Master immediately — this is well beyond the Standing Order threshold The real Third Officer did not call the Master despite the CPA being far inside the Standing Order threshold — she assumed, based on past encounters, that the fishing vessel would pass astern. It didn't. Standing Order thresholds exist precisely so that a developing situation triggers command involvement before assumption takes over.

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.