Verbatim

Question 1

“Vessel”

Answer 1

The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

Question 2

“Power-driven vessel”

Answer 2

The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.

Question 3

“Sailing Vessel”

Answer 3

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

Question 4

“Vessel Engaged in Fishing”

Answer 4

The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.

Question 5

“Seaplane”

Answer 5

The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

Question 6

“Seaplane”

Answer 6

The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

Question 6

“Seaplane”

Answer 6

The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

Question 7

“Vessel NUC”

Answer 7

The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Question 8

“Vessel RAM”

Answer 8

The term “vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver” means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Question 9

Vessels considered to be RAM

Answer 9

(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in launching or recovery of aircraft;
(i) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course;

Question 10

“Vessel CBD”

Answer 10

The term “vessel constrained by her draft” means a power-driven vessel which, because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following. See note on Inland definitions.

Question 11

“Vessel CBD”

Answer 11

The term “vessel constrained by her draft” means a power-driven vessel which, because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following. See note on Inland definitions.

Question 12

“Underway”

Answer 12

The word “underway” means a vessel that is not at anchor, or made fast to shore, or aground.

Question 13

“Length” and “Breadth”

Answer 13

The words “length” and “breadth” of a vessel means her length overall and greatest breadth.

Question 14

Vessels in sight definition

Answer 14

Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from the other.

Question 15

“Restricted Visibility”

Answer 15

The term “restricted visibility” means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or any other similar causes.

Question 16

“WIG craft”

Answer 16

The term ‘wing-in-ground (WIG) craft’ means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.

Question 17

Rule 5

Answer 17

Lookout
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 18

Rule 6

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Factors to determine safe speed by all vessels

Answer 19

(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 20

Factors to determine safe speed by operational radar

Answer 20

(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 floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range;
(v) the number, location and movement 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 21

“Masthead Light”

Answer 21

“Masthead light” means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline 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.

Question 22

“Sidelights”

Answer 22

“Sidelights” means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

Question 23

“Stern lights”

Answer 23

“Stern light” means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

Question 24

“Towing light”

Answer 24

“Towing light” means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the “stern light” defined in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

Question 25

“All-round light”

Answer 25

“All-round light” means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

Question 26

“Flashing light”

Answer 26

“Flashing light” means a light flashing at regular intervals at a
frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

Question 27

Distress signals

Answer 27

(a) a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a
minute;
(b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus;
(c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
(d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signaling
method consisting of the group . . . _ _ _ . . . (SOS) in the Morse
Code;
(e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “Mayday”;
(f) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by NC;
(g) a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball;
(h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
(i) a rocket parachute or a hand flare showing a red light;
(j) a smoke signal giving off orange colored smoke;
(k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
(l) the radiotelegraph alarm signal;
(m) the radiotelephone alarm signal;
(n) signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio
beacons (EPIRB).
(o) approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems including survival craft radar transponders.

Question 28

ANNEX IV rules of distress signals

Answer 28

The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals is prohibited.

Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual and the following signals:
(a) a piece of orange-colored canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air);
(b) a dye marker.