IRPCS 1-10

Question 1

1(a) To whom and when do the colregs apply?

Answer 1

these rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels

Question 2

1(e) When does a vessel of any special construction or purpose not have to comply with the provisions of the colregs

Answer 2

whenever the government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of any special construction or purpose cannot comply with the provisions of any of these rules with respect to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as tot the disposition and characteristics of sound signalling appliances, such vessel shall comply with such other provision in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visbility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound signalling appliances, aaas her government shall have determinded to be the closest possible compliance with these rules in respect of that vessel

Question 3

1(d) traffic separation schemes

Answer 3

may be adopted by the organization for the purpose of these rules

Question 4

1(c) application of special rules by governments

Answer 4

nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by the government of any state with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convy, or with respect to station or signal ligts or shapes for vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional station or signals lights, shapes and whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape or signal authorised elsewhere under these rules

Question 5

1(b) application of special rules

Answer 5

nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by an appropriate authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as possible to these rules

Question 6

2(a) shall these rules exonerate anyone?

Answer 6

Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case

Question 7

2(b) what should you do when construing and complying with these rules

Answer 7

In construing and complying with these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these rules necessary to avoid immediate danger

Question 8

3 in sight

Answer 8

when one can be observed visually from the other

Question 9

3 length and breadth

Answer 9

her length overal and greatest breadth

Question 10

3 power-driven vessel

Answer 10

any vessel propelled by machinery

Question 11

3 restricted visibility

Answer 11

any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstroms or any other causes

Question 12

3 sailing vessel

Answer 12

any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used

Question 13

3 seaplane

Answer 13

any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on water

Question 14

3 underway

Answer 14

means that a vessel is not anchored, or made fast to the shore, or aground

Question 15

3 vessel

Answer 15

every description of water craft, including non-desplacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water

Question 16

3 vessel constrained by her draught

Answer 16

a power-driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severly restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following

Question 17

3 vessel engaged in fishing

Answer 17

any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability

Question 18

3 vessel not under command

Answer 18

a vessel which through some exceptional circumstances is unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel

Question 19

3 vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

Answer 19

a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. The term includes but is not limited to:

• laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline
• dredging, surveying or underwater operations
• replenishing or transfering persons, provision or cargo while underway
• launching or recovery of a craft
• mine clearance operation
• towing operation such as severly restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course

Question 20

3 wing in ground effect craft

Answer 20

a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surace-effect action

Question 21

action taken to avoid collision - (b) alteration of course shall

Answer 21

Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.

Question 22

action taken to avoid collision - (d) result

Answer 22

(d) Action taken to avoid a collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear.

Question 23

action taken to avoid collision - (e) if necessary…

Answer 23

(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.

Question 24

action to avoid collision - (c) if there is sufficient sea room

Answer 24

(c) If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation.

Question 25

action to avoid collision - (f) a vessel required not to impede the passage (1) shall… and (2) is not relieved… (3) a vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded…

Answer 25

(f)

(i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel.
(ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of collision and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the Rules of this part.
(iii) A vessel, the passage of which is not to be impeded remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this part when the two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision.

Question 26

actions taken to avoid collision shall… (a)

Answer 26

(a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.

Question 27

factors determining safe speed

Answer 27

VDMBWD

(i) the state of visibility;
(ii) the traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
(iii) the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
(iv) at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights;
(v) the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;
(vi) the draught in relation to the available depth of water.

Question 28

lookout

Answer 28

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Question 29

narrow channel - anchoring

Answer 29

(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.

Question 30

Narrow channel - nearing bend (f)

Answer 30

(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34 (e). sounding one here I come

Question 31

Narrow channel - overtaking

Answer 31

(i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can only take place if the vessel to be overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34 (c) (i). The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed by Rule 34 (c) (ii) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals prescribed in Rule 34 (d).
(ii) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.

Question 32

Narrow channel - who shall not impede passage (b,c,d)

Answer 32

b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel of fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34 (d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

Question 33

Narrow channels - where does a vessel stay

Answer 33

(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit or the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

Question 34

radar factors determining safe speed

Answer 34

CRWINE

(i) the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment;
(ii) any constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use;
(iii) the effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather and other sources of interference;
(iv) the possibility that small vessels, ice and other large floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range;
(v) the number, location and movements of vessels detected by radar;
(vi) the more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.

Question 35

risk of collision

Answer 35

ARSCB - All Racers Should Consider Breaking

(a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there as any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.
(b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observations of detected objects.
(c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.
(d) In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken into account.
(i) such risk shall be deemed to exist it the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change.
(ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.

Question 36

Safe speed

Answer 36

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid a collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Question 37

traffic separation lane - inshore traffic zone (d)

Answer 37

(d)

(i) Inshore traffic zones shall not normally be used by through traffic which can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20m in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may under all circumstances use inshore traffic zones.
(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (d) (i), a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

Question 38

traffic separation schemes - applies

Answer 38

(a) This rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the organisation and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other Rule

Question 39

traffic separation schemes - 4 rules of use

Answer 39

(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
(i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;
(ii) so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone;
(iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable.
(c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

Question 40

traffic separation zone - anchoring (g)

Answer 40

(g) A vessel shall as far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.

Question 41

Traffic separation zone - when can you enter a separation zone or cross a separation line

Answer 41

(e) A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except:
(i) in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger.
(ii) to engage in fishing within the separation zone.

Question 42

traffic separation zone - fishing (i)

Answer 42

(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.

Question 43

traffic separation zone - navigating near terminations (f)

Answer 43

(f) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.

Question 44

traffic separation zone - restricted in ability to manoeuvre (k,l)

Answer 44

(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
(l) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

Question 45

traffic separation zone - vessel less than 20m

Answer 45

(j) A vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

Question 46

traffic separation zone - vessel not using (h)

Answer 46

(h) A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as practicable.

Question 47

when do the rules of part B apply

Answer 47

in any condition of visibility