Question 1

Your vessel is 120m LOA (greater than 20m) navigating in a narrow channel. A small sailing vessel 8m LOA is sailing in the middle of the channel and will not give way. What does Rule 9 say and what are your options?

Accepted Answer

Rule 9(b) — Narrow Channels: a vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which CAN SAFELY NAVIGATE ONLY within a narrow channel or fairway. Rule 9 creates an obligation on SMALL VESSELS AND SAILING VESSELS in narrow channels — they must not impede large vessels that must stay in the channel. As the 120m vessel, you cannot manoeuvre out of the channel safely. Options: (1) Sound Rule 34(d) — at least 5 short blasts to indicate doubt/danger; (2) Slow down or stop to let the situation resolve; (3) Call the small vessel on VHF Ch 16 — though COLREGs action is not conditional on VHF contact; (4) If collision is imminent, take all available action including anchoring. The small sailing vessel is in breach of Rule 9(b) — but this does not remove your obligation under Rule 2(b) (the General Prudential Rule) to take all action to avoid a collision. Rule 9 is frequently examined because it modifies the normal hierarchy of Rule 18. The key principle: "shall not impede" is different from "shall give way" — it means small vessels must not make it difficult for large vessels to use the channel. However, Rule 9(b) does NOT give the large vessel a right of way that removes her obligation to avoid collision. The "General Prudential Rule" (Rule 2(b)): "In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger." Even if the small vessel is wrong, the large vessel is not excused from taking action to avoid collision. The five short blasts (Rule 34(d)): this is the signal of doubt/danger — it alerts the small vessel but does not grant passage rights. The one prolonged blast (Rule 34(e)) is specifically for a vessel approaching a bend where another vessel may be out of sight — it is NOT a passing signal in a narrow channel.

Question 2

You are OOW on a power-driven vessel underway. You have five vessels near you: a sailing vessel, an NUC vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing, a RAM vessel, and a CBD vessel. Your examiner asks you to rank your responsibilities to each in order.

Accepted Answer

Rule 18 establishes the hierarchy for power-driven vessels underway. In order of priority (highest first — you must give way to all of these in this order): 1st — NUC (not under command): cannot manoeuvre, ultimate priority — Rule 18(a)(i); 2nd — RAM (restricted in ability to manoeuvre): limited manoeuvring ability — Rule 18(a)(ii); 3rd — CBD (constrained by draught): cannot deviate from channel — Rule 18(a)(iii) [note: CBD is optional display — not all CBD vessels show the signal]; 4th — FISHING (engaged in fishing with gear): Rule 18(a)(iv) — note this means fishing with nets/lines, NOT a vessel that has fishing equipment on board but is not actually fishing; 5th — SAILING VESSEL: Rule 18(a)(v) — power gives way to sail (with exceptions in Rule 18(b) where a sailing vessel overtaking a power-driven vessel must keep clear). You must keep out of the way of all five in this order. Rule 18 — Responsibilities Between Vessels — is one of the most fundamental OOW exam topics. The hierarchy from Rule 18(a): (i) NUC; (ii) RAM; (iii) CBD; (iv) fishing; (v) sailing; all are given way over by power-driven vessels. The rules are additive — if you must give way to a CBD vessel, you also must give way to all ranks above it. Key nuances tested at OOW level: (1) CBD is only recognised as a privileged vessel if it displays the signal — a vessel that is constrained by draught but shows nothing is treated as a power-driven vessel; (2) A vessel fishing = one that has gear restricting its ability to manoeuvre; a vessel with rods trolling or no gear deployed = treated as a power-driven vessel; (3) Sailing vessel with engine running (motorsailing) = treated as a power-driven vessel (shows day shape — cone point down); (4) Rule 18(b): nothing in Rule 18 exempts a sailing vessel from keeping clear when overtaking another vessel. The exam will present scenarios where the candidate must apply the correct rule from this hierarchy.

Question 3

You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The give-way vessel is not taking action. At what point and how do you act under COLREGs Rules 16 and 17?

Accepted Answer

Rule 17 stand-on obligations: (a)(i) — maintain course and speed initially; (a)(ii) — when it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is NOT taking appropriate action, the stand-on vessel MAY take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone; (b) — when a collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone, the stand-on vessel SHALL take action. The timing sequence: (1) Initially: maintain course and speed — Rule 17(a)(i); (2) Give-way not acting, situation developing: you MAY act to help (Rule 17(a)(ii)) — but only by altering to starboard (not to port for a vessel on your port side, as this creates confusion); (3) Imminent collision, no action possible by give-way alone: you MUST act — Rule 17(b). Sound signal Rule 34(d): if in doubt about another vessel's intentions, give at least 5 short blasts on the whistle immediately. Rule 17 is nuanced and consistently examined. The three stages: mandatory hold (17(a)(i)), permissive action (17(a)(ii)), mandatory action (17(b)). The timing of transition from stage 1 to 2 to 3 is a matter of seamanlike judgement — the examiner will probe this. Key point: Rule 17(c) — when the stand-on vessel takes action under Rule 17(a)(ii) to avoid collision, she shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, NOT alter course to PORT for a vessel on her own PORT side. The reason: if both vessels try to pass to starboard of each other (own vessel altering starboard, give-way vessel finally altering starboard) they could collide — the COLREGs design assumes the stand-on vessel will also go starboard if it must act. Altering to port by the stand-on vessel for a vessel crossing from port risks a collision if both alter in the same direction. Rule 34(d) five short blasts: this is the signal for doubt about the other vessel's intentions or actions to avoid collision — it is NOT the action itself; it alerts the other vessel that action may be necessary.