Question 47 RVR04 - Master or Mate of LT 200 GRT

The Correct Answer is D **Why Option D ("a risk of collision exists") is correct:** This scenario describes the fundamental principle used for determining a risk of collision, as outlined in Rule 7(b) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and Inland Rules. Rule 7(b) states that a risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change. When the relative bearing remains constant, it means the vessels are on a collision course, regardless of their current distance or speed. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) a special circumstances situation exists:** "Special circumstances" (Rule 2) refers to situations not explicitly covered by the preceding rules, or situations requiring a departure from the rules to avoid immediate danger. While a collision course is dangerous, it is explicitly covered by the rules (Rule 7 and the subsequent steering and sailing rules), and therefore is not automatically categorized as a "special circumstances" situation. * **B) you are the stand-on vessel:** A constant bearing indicates a risk of collision, but it does not determine which vessel is the stand-on vessel. The determination of stand-on/give-way status depends on the specific rules governing the encounter (e.g., crossing, overtaking, head-on), the types of vessels involved, and the sectors of visibility. * **C) the other vessel is dead in the water:** If the other vessel were dead in the water, your compass bearing to it would change as you approached, provided you were moving. For the bearing to remain constant, both vessels must be moving along lines that will intersect at the same time, or both must be stationary (in which case, no risk of collision exists). Since the question implies an "approach," movement is occurring, meaning the other vessel is certainly not dead in the water (unless the vessel is stationary and you are approaching directly head-on, in which case the bearing would still change relative to any slight movement). The definitive indicator of a constant bearing is a collision course, not a stationary vessel.