Question 66 RVR03 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for Option B (Correct):** Option B is correct because regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), often allow stability tests (inclining experiments) to be dispensed with if they already possess the approved stability test results for a **sister vessel**. A sister vessel is built to the same plans and specifications, meaning its stability characteristics are expected to be nearly identical. By using the approved stability data from the identical vessel, the requirement for an expensive and time-consuming inclining experiment on the second vessel can be waived, provided the USCG verifies that the vessels are truly identical and that no significant alterations affecting stability have been made. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **A) The vessel is of a proven design:** While a proven design might reduce regulatory scrutiny in some areas, the mere fact that a design is "proven" does not inherently eliminate the need for an initial stability test. Stability tests are required to confirm the as-built characteristics of a specific hull, which can vary due to construction tolerances and equipment installation, even within a successful design lineage. * **C) The projected cost is unreasonable:** Regulatory requirements related to safety, especially stability (which is crucial for preventing capsizing), are generally mandatory and are not waived solely based on the owner's assessment of the cost. Safety compliance takes precedence over cost concerns. * **D) Coast Guard does not have a qualified inspector available:** The availability of an inspector affects the scheduling of the test, but it does not eliminate the regulatory requirement for the test itself. If an inspector is unavailable, the test must simply be postponed until one is available; it cannot be legally waived on this basis.