Question 22 ONC01 - Master/Chief Mate Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Correct Answer):** Option A is correct because it accurately defines the primary function of a Traffic Separation Zone (TSZ) within a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). A TSZ is an area or zone established to physically or conceptually divide the lanes (traffic lanes) used by vessels proceeding in opposite or nearly opposite directions. Its purpose is to minimize the risk of head-on collisions and enhance safety in congested or navigationally restricted waters, as mandated by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 10 (Traffic Separation Schemes). **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **Option B (is located between the scheme and the nearest land):** This describes a **coastal traffic zone** (sometimes referred to as an inshore traffic zone), not the Traffic Separation Zone (TSZ) itself. The TSZ is the separating strip located *between* the opposing traffic lanes. * **Option C (is designated as an anchorage area):** Traffic Separation Schemes are generally areas where navigation is structured and continuous. An anchorage area is a designated area where vessels may stop and anchor, and it is usually located *outside* the established traffic lanes and separation zones. * **Option D (contains all the traffic moving in the same direction):** This describes a **traffic lane** (or separation lane), not the Traffic Separation Zone (TSZ). The traffic lane is the area where ships proceed in one particular direction, while the TSZ is the neutral area that separates the opposing lanes.