Applying the collision regulations
The command officer applies the IRPCS fully: a proper lookout, a safe speed, a full appraisal of risk by all means, and early, substantial, obvious action, checked to be working. Risk of collision is a steady bearing with a closing range; the give-way vessel acts early and boldly, the stand-on vessel holds course and speed but acts if the other does not, and in restricted visibility Rule 19 removes the stand-on vessel and demands a safe speed and the avoidance of close-quarters. The rules are applied with the seamanship the examiner expects, not by rote.
Bridge team management
- Lead the bridge team with clear roles, thorough briefings and challenge-and-response communication.
- Fuse radar, ARPA, AIS, ECDIS and the visual watch into one coherent traffic picture.
- Manage workload and situational awareness, and encourage the team to speak up.
- Keep the shared mental model current so the whole team understands the developing situation.
WARNING — Early, large, obvious — and check it works In a crossing or head-on situation the action expected is an alteration to starboard that is early and unmistakable, followed by a check that the other vessel is drawing clear. Rule 8 requires the action to be confirmed effective.
NOTE — One picture, many sensors Command-level navigation fuses radar, ARPA, AIS, ECDIS and the visual watch into one coherent picture, and ensures the whole bridge team shares it. A team with a common, current mental model catches the errors an individual misses.