COLREG OOW Q

A sailing v/l is proceeding along a narrow channel, is there any

vessels who should not impede his passage?

A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of

any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.

What shape would a vessel proceeding under sail when also

being propelled by machinery exhibit?

She should exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical

shape apex downwards.

A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of which

vessels?

- A vessel not under command.

- A vessel restricted in her ability to manouevre.

- A vessel engaged in fishing.

At night you see a white light flashing Morse 'A', what does this
signify?

It is the light signal for a safe water mark, indicating navigable

water all around. It may be used as a C/L, mid-channel or
landfall buoy.

What is the vertical distance between shape signals?

At least 1.5 metres.

In a narrow channel, you are overtaking a vessel less than 20

metres in length, what action would you take?

Keep clear.

Fishing vessels are allowed to show additional lights to indicate

what operation they are conducting, what are the requirements
for spacing and minimum visibilty of these additional lights?

They shall be at least 0.9 metre aoart but at a lower level than
the lights prescribed in rule 26 for fishing vessels. The lights
shall be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 1
mile but at a lesser distance than the lights prescribed in the
rules for fishing vessels.

The term 'Not Impede' is used in several of the collision

regulations, what do you understand by this phrase, and when
is a departure made from it, and then what action is taken?

"When a vessel is required not to impede the passage of

another vessel, such vessel shall so far as practicable navigate
in such a way as to avoid the development of risk of collision. If
however, a situation has developed so as to involve risk of
collision, the relevant steering and sailing rules should be
complied with".

These are taken from a clarification of Rules 9b, 9c, 10i, 10j
and 18d, on the term "not to impede". This clarification has
been approved by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee.

What are the main circumstances where the use of the urgency
signal is justified?

- Ship disabled but not in imminent danger; eg. requesting tug

assistance.
- Loss of person or persons overboard.
- Requesting medical advice or assistance.
- Requesting that a watch be kept for an overdue ship or
aircraft.

You see a fishing vessel with a man on deck, slowly and

repeatedly raising and lowering his arms outstretched to each
side, what does this signify?

He is in distress and requires assistance, (Annex IV refers).

When you have taken action to avoid collision with another

vessel, what should you continue to monitor?

That the action you have taken to avoid collision is having the
desired effect, and shall be carefully monitored until the other
vessel is finally past and clear.

What is contained in the 'Weekly Notices to Mariners'?

- Index to charts affected in that week.

- Temporary and Preliminary Notices.

- Corrections to charts.

- Corrections to light lists.

- Corrections to radio signals.

- Corrections to sailing directions.

- Navigational warnings.

When should the rules concerning lights be complied with?

The rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset

to sunrise and during such times no other lights shall be
exhibited, exceot such lights as cannot be mistaken for the
lights specified in these rules or do not impair their visibility or
distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper
look-out.

A small vessel is engaged in diving operations, what signal

should she exhibit?

A rigid replica of the International Code Flag 'A' not less than 1
metre in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all round
visibility.

As the relieving Officer of the watch, there is an instruction in

the Masters orders that you do not understand, action?

Question the Officer I am relieving, if not satisfied, call the

Master and ask for clarification.

You have a vessel approaching from your starboard beam on a

steady bearing, what avoiding action would you take?

I would make a substantial alteration of course to port, as such

action does not involve the crossing ahead of the other vessel.
Sounding two short blasts.

With regard to a sailing vessel, what are the requirements

regarding vertical sectors/minimum intensity of navigational
lights as fitted?

That at least the required minimum intensity is maintained at all

angles from 5 degrees above to 5 degrees below the horizontal
and that at least 50% of the required minimum intensity is
maintained from 25 degrees above to 25 degrees below the
horizontal.

How should an inconspicous, partly submerged vessel or

object be lit?

i) If it is less than 25 metres in breadth, one all round white

light at or near the forward end except that dracones need not
exhibit a light at or near the forward end.

ii) If it is 25 m or more in breadth, two additional all-round white

lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;

iii) If it exceeds 100m in length, additional all-round white lights

between the lights prescribed in sub-paragraphs i) and ii) so
that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100
metres.

As OOW, what would you expect your lookout to report to you?

Any lights, vessels, or large floating objects seen, and in

restricted visibility any fog signals heard.
Although in congested waters every light which is seen could
not be reported, report those which are likely to pose a collision
risk, especially small craft which may not be observed easily
from the bridge.

In addition to the manouevering signals which are made on the

ships whistle, these may be supplemented by light signals
repeated as appropriate whilst the manouevre is being carried
out, what is the minimum visibility of this manouevering light?

5 miles.

What is the minimum visibility of a sidelight on a vessel of 20m

in length?

2 miles.

What lights would a sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in

length exhibit?

She may exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 25 for sailing

vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an
electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall
be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

When are vessels allowed to fish in a narrow channel?

The rule suggests that vessels are allowed to fish, when the
channel is not being used, or when they see oncoming traffic
and can get out of the way in ample time.

Define the term 'sailing vessel'?

The term 'sailing vessel' means any vessel under sail provided
that propelling machinery if fitted is not being used.

What is the minimum diameter of a bell or gong on a vessel of

20m or more in length?

300mm.

What is the manouevering signal to indicate 'I am altering my

course to starboard'?

One short blast.

What is the minimum visibility of a towing light on a vessel of

20m in length?

2 miles.

A vessel greater than 100m in length is engaged in fishing at

anchor in restricted visibility, what fog signal should she sound?

One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.

What is the minimum visibility of a sternlight on a vessel of 20m

in length?

2 miles.

Define 'Masthead Light'?

'Masthead Light' means a white light placed over the fore and
aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an
arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the
light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either
side of the vessel.
What additional identity lights may a sailing vessel exhibit?

She may in addition exhibit at or near the top of the mast,

where they can best be seen, two all round lights in a vertical
line, the upper being red and the lower being green, but these
lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined
lantern which may be permitted on sailing vessels less than
20m in length.

A vessel is towing a partly submerged object less than 25m in

breadth, how should it be lit?

If it is less than 25m in breadth, one all-round white light at or

near the forward end and one at or near the after end except
that dracones need not exhibit a light at or near the forward
end.

What are the requirements with regard to horizontal sectors of

sidelights and practical cut offs?

In the forward direction, sidelights as fitted on the vessel shall

show the minimum required intensities. The intensities shall
decrease to reach practical cut-off between 1 degree and 3
degrees outside the prescribed sectors.

At 22.5 degrees abaft the beam the minimum required

intensities shall be maintained over the arc of the horizon up to
5 degrees within the limits of the sectors prescribed in rule 21.
From 25 degrees within the prescribed sectors the intensity
may decrease by 50% up to the prescribed limits: it shall
decrease steadily to reach practical cut-off not more than 5
degrees outside the prescribed sector.

What would be your action on sighting a vessel aground,

immediately ahead of own vessel?

- Take all way off own vessel.

- Inform the master.

- Operate Echo Sounder.

- Check the position of own vessel and vessel aground.

- Call up the vessel aground on VHF, and ascertain her draught

and time of grounding, checking time against height of tide.
What action would you take when approaching a bend in a
narrow channel?

Sound one prolonged blast, which must be answered by any

vessel hearing such blast.
(Caution beware of echoes)

How should a seaplane on the water conduct her passage?

A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all

vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances,
however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with
the rules of this part.

What are the requirements regarding positioning of a

manoeuvering light as described in the rules?

A manouevering light shall be placed in the same fore and aft

vertical plane as the masthead light or lights and where
practicable, at a minimum height of 2 metres vertically above
the forward masthead light, provided that it shall be carried not
less than 2 metres vertically above or below the after masthead
light.
On a vessel where only one masthead light is carried the
manouevering light, if fitted, shall be carried where it can best
be seen, not less than 2 metres verticalyl apart from the
masthead light.

What is the minimum visibility of a sidelight on a vessel of less

than 12m in length?

1 mile.

Define the term 'vessel restricted in her ability to manouevre'?

The term vessel restricted in her ability to manouevre' means a

vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her
ability to manouevre as required by these rules and is therefore
unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

What considerations would you have in deciding what range

scale to use in restricted visibility?

When using larger range scales, definition is reduced, and

small targets may not be detected, whereas short range scales
do not permit early detection.
The range scale which is most appropriate for the locality
should be used, ideally 2 radars should be available, and a
different range scale can be used on both to avoid changing
scales and losing trails on screen or afterglow.

What is the minimum visibility of a towing light on a vessel of

less than 12m in length?

2 miles.

Fishing vessels greater than 20m in length, when engaged in

trawling shall exhibit lights to indicate what operation they are
conducting. What are the operations they indicate, the light
signal, and the day signal?

i) When shooting their nets:

By Night: two white lights in a vertical line.
By Day: Code flag 'Z'

ii) When hauling their nets:

By Night: one white light over one red light in a vertical line.
By day: Code flag 'G'.

iii) When their nets have come-fast upon an obstruction:

By Night: two red lights in a vertical line
By Day: Code flag 'P'.

Define the term 'underway'?

The word 'underway', means that a vessel is not at anchor, or

made fast to the shore or aground.