Question 1

You are navigating a 20,000 GT container vessel through the Suez Canal at 8 knots. Explain your COLREGs obligations under Rule 9 and any canal-specific considerations.

Accepted Answer

RULE 9 — NARROW CHANNEL/CANAL: Rule 9 governs navigation in narrow channels and fairways. KEY OBLIGATIONS: (1) Rule 9(a): "A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable." — KEEP TO STARBOARD side of the channel; (2) Rule 9(b): "A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a vessel under sail shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only safely navigate within a narrow channel or fairway." — A large container vessel in the Suez Canal is likely to require the full channel. Small craft must not impede; (3) Rule 9(c): "A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway." — Fishing vessels in the canal channel must give way; (4) Rule 9(d): "A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can only safely navigate within a channel or fairway." — No vessel should cross ahead of your large vessel in the canal; (5) Rule 9(e): Overtaking in a narrow channel — signal intent (two short blasts = intend to overtake on your port side; one short blast = starboard). Wait for the other vessel's agreement signal; SUEZ CANAL SPECIFIC: (a) Canal Authority rules govern speed, night navigation, convoy position, and VHF communications; (b) A Canal pilot is mandatory — but master retains authority; (c) Speed — governed by Canal Authority to minimise bank effects on canal walls; (d) Single lane — canal width may limit overtaking; convoys are organised by the Canal Authority. COLREGs in canals (option B): the COLREGs apply to ALL vessels on the "high seas and all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels" — Rule 1. Canals connected to the sea (Suez, Panama, Kiel) are within COLREGs scope. Canal authority rules are ADDITIONAL to COLREGs, not replacements. If the canal authority rules are more restrictive (lower speed, convoy system) — comply with the canal rules. If there is a genuine conflict, the safety-critical convention (COLREGs) takes precedence. Starboard side vs port side (option C): Rule 9(a) is unambiguous — STARBOARD side. This is different from the UK/EU road rule (keep left). On water, the international rule is: keep to the right side of the channel (starboard). This is consistent with the overtaking rule (give way from starboard side — the passing-port-to-port principle). Rule 9 "right of way" (option D): Rule 9 does not explicitly grant a right of way — it grants a "not to be impeded" right for large vessels that cannot safely navigate outside the channel. This is different from a collision regulation give-way/stand-on status. However, the practical effect: a large vessel constrained in a narrow channel has both Rule 9(b) protection AND may qualify as CBD under Rule 28. Bank effect: in canals with soft banks, large vessels generate a bow wave and suction effect that can draw small vessels toward them or ground them. The Canal Authority speed limits in Suez are partly to manage these bank effects on the canal walls.

Question 2

You are OOW on a 25,000 GT general cargo vessel making 12 knots in open waters. You observe a vessel displaying two black balls in a vertical line and two all-round red lights at night. What is this vessel and what are your obligations?

Accepted Answer

NUC VESSEL — CM RESPONSE: The vessel displaying TWO BLACK BALLS (day) / TWO ALL-ROUND RED LIGHTS vertical (night) is a NOT UNDER COMMAND (NUC) vessel. COLREG Rule 27(a): "A vessel not under command shall exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen." DEFINITION (Rule 3(f)): "Not under command means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel." Typical causes: main engine failure; steering gear failure; loss of power. YOUR OBLIGATIONS: (1) YOUR VESSEL MUST KEEP CLEAR: a NUC vessel cannot take avoiding action. The NUC display is an advisory signal — YOU must manoeuvre. Rule 18(a): "A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: a vessel not under command." (2) EARLY AND SUBSTANTIAL ACTION: Rule 16 — "Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear." (3) MONITOR CLOSELY: even if CPA is safe, continue to monitor. A NUC vessel may drift with current or alter if she partially regains power; (4) VHF: brief communication to confirm her situation and intentions may be appropriate; (5) CALL MASTER: at night in a crossing or overtaking situation with a NUC vessel — consider calling master. The situation could deteriorate rapidly if she is drifting; (6) ADDITIONAL LIGHT: if the NUC vessel is also making way — she shows sidelights in addition to the red lights. Rule 18 hierarchy (give-way order): A power-driven vessel underway keeps clear of: NUC; RAM; CBD; sailing vessel; vessel fishing. Among themselves: overtaking gives way to overtaken; port gives way to starboard (crossing); head-on both alter to starboard. NUC vs anchored (option C): two black balls in a vertical line = NUC. ONE black ball = anchored (Rule 30). A critical distinction. An anchored vessel also displays a white anchor light (all-round), not red lights. Two ALL-ROUND RED LIGHTS are the NUC night signal. Rule 18 hierarchy rationale: a NUC vessel genuinely cannot manoeuvre. Expecting them to give way is dangerous and pointless — they cannot comply. The rules therefore place the burden on vessels that CAN manoeuvre to stay clear of those that CANNOT. The principle of reduced manoeuvrability. NUC making way: a vessel with engine failure but still moving (from momentum or tidal current) must still display sidelights (green/red) because she is making way. This helps other vessels assess the aspect. The NUC signals are ADDITIONAL to normal lights when making way. Master call decision: at night, with a NUC vessel ahead, in confined waters, or when CPA is under 1nm — the master should be called. The NUC vessel may be drifting in an unpredictable direction. The situation has greater uncertainty than normal traffic.

Question 3

You observe a vessel displaying a ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line and red-white-red all-round lights. What type of vessel is this and what lights does she show at night when making way?

Accepted Answer

RAM VESSEL — IDENTIFICATION AND LIGHTS: The vessel displaying BALL-DIAMOND-BALL (day) and ALL-ROUND RED-WHITE-RED (night) is RESTRICTED IN ABILITY TO MANOEUVRE (RAM). COLREG Rule 27(b): "A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, except a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations, shall exhibit: three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond." WHEN MAKING WAY ADDITIONALLY: masthead light(s), sidelights, and sternlight — in addition to the RAM signals. TYPICAL RAM VESSELS: a dredger; a vessel engaged in surveying or hydrographic work; a vessel engaged in buoy laying operations; a cable-laying vessel; a vessel conducting replenishment at sea (RAS); a tug engaged in a towing operation that severely restricts her ability to manoeuvre; a vessel engaged in diving operations; a minelayer. YOUR OBLIGATIONS: Rule 18(b): "A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre." Your vessel must keep clear. A RAM vessel with obstruction on one side: Rule 27(d) — if the vessel's ability to manoeuvre is restricted due to work on one side, she shows additional lights/shapes to indicate the safe side to pass. Day signals — fishing vs RAM (option B): fishing vessels under Rule 26 show a CONE (apex down) by day and ALL-ROUND GREEN over RED lights at night. The Rule 27 RAM signals (ball-diamond-ball / red-white-red) are completely distinct. This is a frequently confused pair in oral exams. Rule 18 hierarchy continuation: power-driven vessels keep clear of: NUC, RAM, CBD, fishing, sailing. RAM is above CBD in the hierarchy — a power-driven vessel gives way to RAM. However, RAM does NOT take precedence over a vessel not under command. NUC has the same or higher priority. Practical RAM examples examiners probe: (1) Cable-laying vessel — significant RAM; crosses traffic schemes; (2) RAS (Replenishment At Sea) — the supply vessel and the warship being replenished both display RAM; (3) Dredger with pipe over the side — additionally marks the side where passing is dangerous (Rule 27(d)); (4) Diving support vessel — Rule 27(e) additional signals; (5) Minesweeper — Rule 27(f) additional three all-round green lights, one at each end of the sweep. RAM on one side additional signals: Rule 27(d) — when the work creates a hazard on one side, the RAM vessel shows: two additional all-round red lights on the side of the obstruction and two all-round green lights on the safe-to-pass side. A dredger with a suction pipe extending to starboard would show: red-red to starboard, green-green to port.