Question 67 GLI04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A. **Why Option A is Correct:** * **Reduce Speed:** Reducing speed is the single most effective action a vessel can take to minimize wake. Wake energy (wave height) increases disproportionately with speed. A slower speed generates less powerful waves, thereby significantly reducing the risk of damage to the moored vessel, its lines, and the associated pier or structures. * **Make a notation in the bell book (or relevant internal log):** Maintaining a record of speed changes, particularly when navigating restricted waterways or passing potential hazards, is a standard practice for documenting ship maneuvers. This action documents the responsible behavior taken by the bridge team, fulfilling navigational and legal requirements for recording movements. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **B) Stay on outside of channel and make a notation in the logbook:** While staying away from the moored vessel (if the channel width allows) is beneficial, this option omits the critical step of reducing speed. If the vessel maintains full speed, the wake waves will still be powerful and damaging, regardless of the lateral distance within a narrow channel. * **C) Go half astern when abeam of the moored vessel:** Applying stern propulsion when abeam would likely introduce complicated and unnecessary transverse forces (side thrust) and turbulent water flow, potentially hindering safe navigation and disrupting the water near the moored vessel further, instead of minimizing wake. The primary control for wake minimization is forward speed reduction, not abrupt maneuvering changes. * **D) Check the rudder several times while passing the vessel:** Frequent rudder checks are generally not related to wake reduction. The rudder is used to maintain course. While smooth steering is always required, excessive or unnecessary rudder movement could generate unnecessary turbulence or complicate the maneuver, and it does not address the core issue of minimizing speed-dependent wake energy.