Question 1

You're the sole watchkeeper on the bridge, underway in visibility that's patchy and varying between 0.25 and 2.0 nautical miles. What does COLREGS Rule 5 require of your lookout arrangements in these conditions?

Accepted Answer

A proper lookout by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means, appropriate to the prevailing circumstances — in visibility this restricted, that typically means posting a dedicated lookout in addition to the OOW Neither Solong nor the anchored Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout posted when visibility was down to as little as 0.25nm. COLREGS Rule 5 requires a lookout appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions — a single watchkeeper managing navigation and lookout simultaneously in near-zero visibility has no redundancy if their attention is drawn elsewhere, even briefly.

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.