Towing and pushing

[The Kraken]

Hi,

I'm going over COLREGs for oral prep and just need something confirming:

If a vessel is towing or pushing, showing no RAM or additional lights is it always considered a PDV? And as such the rules for PDV's apply? (Such as if we are on her starboard side she is the give way vessel under rule 15 etc).

Thanks,
Kraken

[Martyboy]

Hiya,

Yeah thats right, a vessel engaged in towing is considered a Power driven vessel if it is not showing RAM lights. It does however have the sound signal of 1 prolonged followed by two short, and one prolonged followed by 3 short on the last vessel of the tow if manned.

[The Kraken]

Thanks for the clarification. Also can I ask:

If a CBD vessel is crossing from our port side what would be our action? As rule 18 states we should not impede but it does not say we have to keep out of its way per say. My answer would be 'I would sound two short blasts on the ships whistle and made an alteration to port to pass astern of the CBD vessel, given that we do this before a close quarters situation develops and that we have enough sea room'.

Would this be an acceptable answer? I hear this is quite a common question at the orals.

[Martyboy]

I wouldn't recommend that as an answer to be honest.

A POWER DRIVEN VESSEL constrained by its draft, if on its port side is still required to keep out of your way by rule 15. You are obviously required not to impede its passage by rule 18. SO.... the vessel CBD is required by rule 15 to keep clear of you and if possible avoid crossing ahead. In reality this vessel will slow down, but assuming it has the sea room it will alter it's course to starboard to pass around your stern, and if you are altering to port and the CBD is altering to starboard, you are now on a head on situation which is bad

My answer would be " I am required not to impede her safe passage so I would take early and substantial action to ensure I did not"

The examiner will then likely say " She is less than a mile away" so you would then say

"i'd take a serious of compass bearings to ascertain whether risk of collision exists" It obviously does in the exam so try something like.....

"This is a crossing situation and as per rule 15 I am the stand on vessel however under rule 18 I am required not to impede her passed, so any actions I take must compliment her actions and as such, I would alter my course to starboard paralleling her course and allow her to pass before resuming my own course" or something to that effect

[Martyboy]

Sorry misread your post, the alteration of course to port is fine as long as it happens before risk of collision exists, and when risk of collision exists is up to the officer, but yea if its making in ample time then an alteration of course to port is ok However they aren't usually nice enough to put your in situations where you can avoid them in plenty of time. He'll stick you right up next to it haha.

My mate got this as a question:

You are on a vessel constrained by it's draft crossing a traffic separation scheme with a fishing vessel crossing form port

I got a similar one which I almost failed on, but he gave me a second go at it and I got it right

[The Kraken]

Ahhh yeah I see that now, I think I'll stick with taking early and substanstial action to avoiding impeding her so I don't dig myself a hole :P

Thats a tough one. I'd say I'd answer something like "The fishing vessel is required not to impede my passage as by rule 18, however also by rule 18 part a) a PDV is required to keep out of the way of a fishing vessel. As a risk of collision exsists I would make an alteration of course to starboard, if depth allowed, as she may change course to avoid impeding us. If the water was too shallow my only other option would be to reduce speed to let her pass forward of me".

I'm not sure if this would be the right answer though?

[Martyboy]

Yea, starboard would be a safe bet

[The Kraken]

Thanks mate, you've cleared a lot of stuff up for me Can't say I'm relishing the thought of this exam though

[gangs20003]

Hey thanks for this series of posts, it really cleared some stuff up for me, i have a bit of an interview in a week and im quaking in my metaphorical boots.

[Martyboy]

Hmmmm I can maybe 99% guarantee you wont be asked the colregs at an interview for a cadetship


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[gangs20003]

Hmmmm I can maybe 99% guarantee you wont be asked the colregs at an interview for a cadetship


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Well i was asked colregs and questions based on colregs in the first round of the interviews. They told me that my colregs is a little weak and to brush up before my second round...which will apparently be a personal interview with the MD...

EDIT: What do they ask DCs where you're from otherwise?

[Martyboy]

What is it you're applying for man?


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[Clanky]

I think gangs is from India?

In which case he has probably already completed the academic side of his training and only requires sea time.

[Martyboy]

Only ask why you want the job, what you know about the company etc then a quick maths and written test and thats about it, where are you from??

I think its crazy, how can you be expected to know the job before you are trained!


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[Martyboy]

I think gangs is from India?

In which case he has probably already completed the academic side of his training and only requires sea time.

That makes sense!


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