Decision Simulator

Collision: The First Hour

Generic scenario
Any · Open water / coastal, not incident-specific · N/A
Source: General principle, not incident-specific

3Decision Points 3Possible Outcomes Avg. Play Time

The Situation

Your vessel has just collided with another ship. Your own damage control checks are underway, and initial reports suggest your vessel is not in immediate danger. The other vessel's crew appear to be signalling distress. The next choices you make will shape both the safety outcome and the credibility of everything that follows.

The Lesson

The order of priorities in the first hour after a collision is not a matter of preference — SOLAS makes rendering assistance a legal duty, and evidence that isn't secured in the first hour is often gone for good.

Human Element

This scenario tests command judgement in the first hour after a collision, not one investigated accident — the value is in the sequencing (safety first, evidence second, communication third) that determines both the immediate outcome and the credibility of every report that follows.

Try the First Decision

Your own damage assessment is underway. The other vessel's crew appear to be signalling distress. What's your immediate priority?

A. Render assistance to the other vessel per your SOLAS duty, while your own damage assessment continues in parallel
B. Focus exclusively on your own vessel's damage control and notifications first, address the other vessel once your own situation is fully confirmed safe

This is a preview — the full scenario branches from here based on what you choose, with real consequences and a debrief at the end.

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