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Narrow Channels situations asked by M.C.A. Captains

(Q) You're in a Power-driven vessel doing 5 knots and ahead of you is a vessel doing 3 knots, what will you do?
(Q) What is the sound signal you would make if you want to pass his port-side and what is the sound signal to port pass his starboard side?
(a) Make the sound signal for overtaking the vessel ahead of you
(a) To pass his port-side you would sound Morse "Z" which is 2 prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts on the ships whistle
To pass his starboard-side you would sound Morse "G" which is 2 prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the ships whistle
(Q) What would you expect the overtaking vessel to sound after you gave him your overtaking signal?
(Q) He has not given you the sound signal that he agrees to be overtaken; what will you do now?
(a) He should sound Morse "C" which is 1 prolonged blast followed by 1 short blast followed by 1 prolonged blast followed by 1 short blast on the ships whistle; this means he agrees to be overtaken
(a) Slow your vessel down to the same speed that his is doing and give him the overtaking sound signal again
(Q) The vessel your about to overtake still has not gave you his sound signal to agree to be overtaken - is there any other signal he can give you?
(Q) The vessel being overtaken has given you permission to overtake him and now your abeam of him - are you an overtaking vessel or a crossing vessel?
(a) Yes he can give you the International code of signals - flag "Charlie" - which means - I agree
(a) Once you make yourself an overtaking vessel you remain an overtaking vessel until well past and clear of the vessel being overtaken
(Q) What's deemed/classed as an overtaking vessel?
(Q) You have passed the vessel your overtaking, your about a mile past him, can you alter course now?
(a) Coming up on another vessel MORE than 22.5o abaft the beam of the vessel being overtaken (a) As a Rule Of Thumb, Make a Close Quarter Situation 4 miles out in the open sea, so No this is not enough distance clear of the vessel being overtaking
(Q) What light will you see at night-time if your overtaking another vessel?
(Q) You're coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam - are you a crossing vessel or an overtaking vessel?
(a) The sternlight of the vessel being overtaken and no sidelights (a) You'd be a crossing vessel - the word "MORE" is missing
(Q) Coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam - what light will you see at night?
(Q) Your overtaking another vessel, your vessel is sheering, one minute you see a sternlight then a sidelight then a sternlight then a sidelight, are you a crossing or overtaking vessel?
(a) One of the sidelights - you will not see a sternlight - you have to be MORE than 22.50 abaft the beam to see a sternlight
(a) If in doubt you make yourself an overtaking vessel and go around the stern of the vessel your overtaking
 
(Q) You're overtaking another vessel, when can you become a crossing vessel?   (Q) A vessel Not Under Command is overtaking you, will you stand-on or give way to this vessel, he is having major problems steering?
(a) Once your well passed and clear (at least 4 miles)
(a) He is duty bound to keep clear of you, so you will stand-on with caution (BE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH THIS VESSEL OVERTAKING YOU) keep taking compass/radar and visual bearings of him constantly
(Q) You're in a power-driven vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
(Q) You're in a sailing vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
(a) Stand-on with caution, maintaining your course and speed - the above vessel is constrained by her draught and she should be going at a speed that she can stop and stay in the deepest water available
(a) Stand-on with caution, maintaining your course and speed - any vessel overtaking any other shall keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken
(Q) You're in a fishing vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
(Q) In restricted visibility, your overtaking another vessel, will you stand-on or give way?
(a) Stand-on with Caution maintaining your course and speed (You're using Rule 13 Overtaking just now - Rules 10 does not exist whilst being overtaken - when the vessel overtaking you is well past and clear then you go back to Rule 10 Traffic Separation Scheme)

(a) There are no Stand-on Vessels in Restricted visibility - Rule 19 part (a) says
"This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility"
In other words "No Stand-on Vessels"

Authors tips;

If overtaking a vessel in clear or restricted visibility - take the shortest possible route and go around the vessel being overtaken stern so you can get back onto your original course quicker as long as you have plenty of sea room

You're a crossing vessel when coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam
You need to be MORE than 22.5o abaft the beam to be overtaking

The situation above with the International code of signals Code flag "C" has caught a lot of personnel out as it is not in Rule 9 or Rule 34

The Captains love the overtaking situations as it has caught a lot of personnel out and they have failed because of it, all the above situations came out of the M.C.A. Oral exam and now you have the Knowledge

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