Question 15 UFV02 - Mate - Uninspected Fishing Vessels

The Correct Answer is A ### 1. Explanation for Option A (Correct) **Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel** when two crossing vessels operating in fog (or otherwise restricted visibility) are not in sight of one another. This scenario is governed by Rule 19 (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility) of the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). * Rule 19 overrides the standard "Crossing Rule" (Rule 15) when vessels are not in sight of one another due to restricted visibility. * Under Rule 19, particularly when a vessel detects the position of another vessel forward of the beam by radar or hears the fog signal of a vessel apparently forward of her beam, she must take immediate action to avoid collision. * The primary directive is to reduce speed to minimum steerageway or, if necessary, take all way off (Rule 19(b) and 19(e)). * Crucially, Rule 19 does **not** assign "stand-on" or "give-way" roles based on bearing (starboard/port side). Both vessels are equally required to take precautionary action, making them both "give-way" vessels to ensure safety. ### 2. Explanation for Incorrect Options **B) The vessel which hears the other vessel's fog signal first** This is incorrect. Hearing a fog signal first simply alerts the crew to the presence of another vessel. It does not confer the privileged status of a stand-on vessel. The action required remains the same for both vessels under Rule 19: reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution. **C) The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side** This is incorrect. This option applies the standard Crossing Rule (Rule 15), which dictates that the vessel that has the other on its starboard side must give way (the vessel with the other on its port side is the stand-on vessel). However, Rule 15 only applies when vessels are **in sight** of one another. When they are in fog and not in sight, Rule 19 applies, and the standard hierarchy of crossing roles is suspended. **D) The vessel which has the other on her own port side** This is incorrect. This option describes the vessel that would normally be the stand-on vessel under Rule 15 (Crossing Rule). As explained above, the stand-on/give-way designations of Rule 15 are suspended when vessels are not in sight of one another in restricted visibility (Rule 19). Both vessels must act defensively.