You are on watch and have identified a risk of collision. An examiner asks you to describe the requirements of Rule 8. What are the key principles?

A. Rule 8 requires that: any action shall be taken in ample time; action shall be positive, made in ample time, and shall result in passing at a safe distance; alterations of course or speed shall be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel; a succession of small alterations shall be avoided; action shall not create another close-quarters situation; and if time and distance allow, speed shall be reduced or stopped.

B. Rule 8 requires the give-way vessel only to take action. The stand-on vessel must maintain course and speed until Rule 17 applies.

C. Rule 8 requires an alteration of course to starboard in all collision avoidance situations. Alterations to port are prohibited except when overtaking.

D. Rule 8 applies only when vessels are within 1 nautical mile. At greater distances, collision avoidance is governed by the voyage plan rather than the COLREGs.

A. The tidal height at the time of transit to confirm sufficient under-keel clearance

B. The yacht's fuel consumption for that leg

C. The colour of the seabed shown on the chart

D. Only the distance to the next waypoint

A. Switch the ECDIS to standby mode and navigate by GPS position alone

B. Ignore it — ECDIS alarms are frequently false and can be left running

C. Assess the situation against the planned route and charted depths, take action to maintain safe water, and inform the Master if there is any doubt

D. Acknowledge and silence the alarm immediately so it does not distract the helmsman