Question 1

You're a passenger in your own yacht's tender, helmed by the owner's representative, who accelerates to nearly three times the posted harbour speed limit at night. You hold overriding authority under the ISM Code. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Exercise your overriding authority immediately and require the speed to be reduced to a safe level, regardless of who is helming In the real incident, the master held overriding authority under both the ISM Code and the SMS but did not exercise it as the tender accelerated to roughly 28 knots in a 10-knot zone — a structural authority gradient made the challenge feel practically very difficult, but the authority exists precisely for moments like this.

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.