Collision Regulations and Seamanship Flashcards
6 cards from real SVOP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Collision Regulations and Seamanship flashcards as text
What lights must a vessel engaged in towing display at night when the tow exceeds 200 metres in length?
Answer: Three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, sternlight, and a towing light — plus a diamond shape by day
Rule 24 requires a towing vessel with a tow exceeding 200 m to show three masthead lights vertically (instead of the normal one or two), sidelights, a sternlight, and a yellow towing light above the sternlight. By day: a diamond shape where best seen on both towing and towed vessel.
What does Rule 2 of the Collision Regulations ('Responsibility') state about following the rules?
Answer: It acknowledges that strict adherence to the rules does not override the need for good seamanship — operators must depart from the rules if necessary to avoid immediate danger
Rule 2 is the 'general prudential rule': in construing and complying with the rules, due regard shall be given to dangers of navigation and the special circumstances of the case — departures from the rules may be necessary to avoid immediate danger. This reinforces that seamanship and common sense override rigid rule-following.
What is the requirement for a vessel to display a 'restricted in ability to manoeuvre' (RAM) dayshape?
Answer: A ball, diamond, and ball in a vertical line — displayed when engaged in work that limits ability to manoeuvre (dredging, laying cables, underwater ops, replenishment at sea)
A vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre displays ball-diamond-ball in a vertical line by day. This indicates it is engaged in work (dredging, surveying, mineclearance, dive support, replenishment at sea) that limits its ability to deviate from course, so other vessels must give it wide berth.
When two vessels are meeting head-on in a narrow channel and there is not enough room to pass, what should they do?
Answer: Both vessels should communicate via VHF, agree on a passing arrangement, and the vessel with most sea room or easiest manoeuvring should back down first
When meeting in a narrow channel with insufficient room to pass safely, both operators should communicate on VHF (Ch 16 or the working channel), agree on the safest arrangement, and the vessel with more sea room or easier manoeuvrability should back down to allow the other to proceed.
What does the term 'give way early and substantially' mean in practice?
Answer: Make a large, clearly visible course or speed change while there is still plenty of room — not a small tweak at the last moment
Rule 16 requires that the give-way vessel's action be early (with plenty of time and space remaining) and substantial (a course change of 30° or more, or a large speed reduction) so that the stand-on vessel can clearly see and confirm that avoiding action is being taken.
What is 'compass deviation' and how is it determined for a vessel?
Answer: The error in the compass caused by the vessel's own magnetic field — determined by swinging the vessel on known headings and comparing compass readings to magnetic bearings
Deviation is the error in the compass caused by the magnetic influence of the vessel's own iron, steel, and electrical systems. It varies with heading. It is determined by 'swinging the compass' — comparing compass readings against known magnetic bearings on multiple headings — and recorded on a deviation card.