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HK Coxswain Grade 3 study materials
HK Coxswain Grade 3 study resources

HK Coxswain Grade 3: Collision regulations and safe navigation

HK Coxswain Grade 3 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Collision regulations and safe navigation

What the exam tests

Collision regulations questions test whether you can apply the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to everyday Hong Kong traffic: ferries, high-speed craft, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and works vessels. The exam expects rule-based action, not negotiation by VHF.

Core rules and concepts

  • Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means (Rule 5). Proceed at a safe speed for visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability and background lights (Rule 6).
  • Use compass bearings or a steady bearing to decide risk of collision (Rule 7). If the bearing is not changing appreciably, assume risk exists.
  • Action must be positive, made in ample time and large enough to be readily apparent (Rule 8). Avoid crossing ahead of a give-way vessel; passing astern is usually safer.
  • Head-on: both power-driven vessels alter to starboard. Crossing: the vessel with the other on her starboard side gives way. Overtaking: the overtaking vessel keeps clear.
  • Power gives way to sailing vessels, fishing vessels, vessels not under command and restricted in ability to manoeuvre, but a small craft must not insist on a right of way in a narrow channel or harbour.
  • In a narrow channel keep to the starboard outer limit and do not impede a vessel confined to the channel (Rule 9). In restricted visibility, reduce speed and use sound signals; radar does not remove the duty to proceed safely.

Worked example

You are crossing Victoria Harbour from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island in a launch. A starboard-side ferry is on a steady bearing and is not altering. You are the give-way vessel under the crossing rule. You reduce speed early, alter to pass astern of the ferry and keep monitoring the bearing. You do not call the ferry on VHF to claim priority, and you do not assume the ferry has seen you. If the ferry then alters, you reassess rather than holding a collision course.

Traps

Assuming sail always has absolute priority; treating a stand-on vessel as a guarantee; altering late and then reversing; using VHF to agree a crossing; misreading sidelights at night; and forgetting that ferries and high-speed craft may be severely restricted in what they can do.