Question 1

You decide to alter course. The warship is now on your port bow at 300m, heading approximately east. Which course alteration is correct under Rule 19?

Accepted Answer

Alter to STARBOARD and/or reduce speed — Rule 19 forbids alteration to port for a vessel forward of the beam, and forbids turning toward a vessel abeam or abaft. A 90° starboard alteration opens the distance rapidly COLREGs Rule 19(d): in restricted visibility, if you detect a vessel forward of your beam, avoid altering course to PORT. Also avoid turning toward a vessel abeam or abaft. The safest action is starboard alteration (taking the warship from your bow to your port quarter) plus maximum speed increase. The crew of Bright Future altered 90° to port — arguably contrary to Rule 19, though any obvious avoiding action was appropriate at this point.

Question 2

You are sailing in patchy fog, 20nm south of the Isle of Wight. A large warship suddenly appears through the fog approximately 500 metres away on a crossing course. You are on autopilot under engine and sail. What should you have already been doing that you may not be?

Accepted Answer

Sounding fog signals (one prolonged blast every 2 min under engine), maintaining a proper radar/lookout, monitoring Ch 16, and reducing speed to minimum steerage way — all required in or near restricted visibility by COLREGs Rule 19 COLREGs Rule 19 applies in restricted visibility — the give-way/stand-on hierarchy of Rules 12-18 is SUSPENDED. Every vessel must: proceed at a safe speed, maintain a proper lookout by all available means (radar, AIS, eyes, sound), and sound fog signals. Failing to sound signals or maintain proper watch means you contributed to the close-quarters situation.

Question 3

The warship is now 400m away. You can see it is a large grey frigate with no visible national flag markings yet. It appears to be making 15 knots. What do you do in the next 30 seconds?

Accepted Answer

Identify the vessel on AIS if fitted; check radar; try calling on Ch 16 immediately; assess collision risk by checking if the bearing is changing; prepare to take avoiding action under Rule 19 In restricted visibility, ASSESS first: use AIS/radar to identify and track. A constant bearing with decreasing range = collision risk. Under Rule 19, avoid altering course to port for a vessel on your port bow, and avoid turning toward a vessel that appears abeam or abaft. Calling on Ch 16 establishes communication — vital with a warship. The right-of-way hierarchy does NOT apply in fog.