Question 1

Two minutes after your alteration, you notice the target has also altered course — towards you, reducing the benefit of your own turn, with CPA now closing back down. What does this change, and what should you do?

Accepted Answer

The situation has genuinely changed and must be reassessed: under Rule 17(a)(ii)/Rule 2, if the give-way vessel's action is not resulting in a safe passing situation, you may need to take further action, potentially a further alteration and/or reduction in speed, and you should sound the appropriate signal and consider whether to warn the other vessel by VHF once immediate manoeuvring is addressed COLREGS compliance is not a one-time decision — it's continuous reassessment. A target's own manoeuvre changing the picture is exactly the kind of development that requires you to re-run the Recognise -> Risk -> Decide sequence, not just trust your first action.

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.