USCG Exam PracticeRule 7 — Risk of Collision
A vessel's officer of the watch observes a contact on radar and, based on two brief observations showing a slight bearing change, concludes that no risk of collision exists and takes no further action. The vessels subsequently collide. Under the Inland Navigation Rules, which combination of rules most directly supports a finding of fault against that vessel?
- A. Rule 5 (Look-out) and Rule 12 (Sailing Vessels), because the officer failed to identify the other vessel's type.
- ✓ Rule 2 (Responsibility) and Rule 7 (Risk of Collision), because assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information and neglect of ordinary seamanship precautions does not exonerate the vessel.Correct
- C. Rule 7 (Risk of Collision) and Rule 17 (Action by Stand-on Vessel), because the stand-on vessel failed to maintain course and speed.
- D. Rule 8 (Action to Avoid Collision) and Rule 11 (Application), because Rules 11 through 18 do not apply when vessels are not in sight of one another.
Why B is correct
33 CFR §83.07(c) prohibits making assumptions on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information, and §83.07(a) requires that any doubt be resolved in favor of risk existing. 33 CFR §83.02(a) further provides that nothing in the Rules exonerates a vessel from neglect of any precaution required by ordinary seamanship. Two brief observations constitute scanty information, and the failure to continue systematic observation compounds the fault under both rules.