The Bridge Deck - COLREGs Lab

Specialized MCA Oral Exam Preparation courses in Durban and Salt Rock, South Africa. Pass with confidence. Perform with authority.

NAVIGATION

PROGRAMMES

Officer of the Watch (OOW Yacht <3000gt)
Master (Yacht <3000gt) Prep
Thinkific COLREGs Online

SALT ROCK CAMPUS

+27 (0) 61 116 0682 (Brayton)
brayton@thebridgedeck.net
33 Gifford Crescent, Salt Rock, South Africa

Adheres strictly to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Examination Syllabus & MSN/MGN guidance.

Interactive Training Lab · Physical Models & Online Thinkific Course

COLREGs & Buoyage Scenario Mastery

At our Salt Rock facility, candidates drill daily using tactile vessel models and magnetic tactical boards. We also provide our comprehensive online COLREGs course for on-demand self-study.

TACTILE CLASSROOM TRAINING

INTERACTIVE MAGNETIC BOARD & MODEL SHIPS

The MCA examiners frequently share images of model ships in different scenarios and ask: “You are here, they are there. What do you see? What do you do?” We simulate this exact board drill repeatedly until your responses are instinctive.

Thinkific Online Curriculum Includes:

• High-definition night navigation light animations
• Comprehensive sound signal audio drills in fog and line-of-sight

SCENARIO 1 OF 3 · Day

CROSSING SITUATION IN OPEN WATERS

SITUATION ON WATCH:

You are Officer of the Watch on a 50m motor yacht making 16 knots. On bearing 045° relative (Green 45°), you sight a power-driven vessel on a steady bearing with decreasing range at 4 nautical miles.

Bridge Observations

Visual: Power-driven vessel showing her
port side profile, bearing steady on your
starboard bow.

Bearing: 045° Relative (Starboard bow)

Lights / Day Shapes: Daytime: Vessel hull underway, no special shapes

According to COLREGs , what is your statutory obligation and required action?

You are the give-way vessel. Take early and substantial action to keep well clear,
altering course to starboard to pass under her stern if the circumstances permit.

Alter course immediately to port to cross ahead of her while maintaining speed.

Maintain your course and speed as the stand-on vessel, sounding one prolonged blast
on the whistle.

Review Required

Incorrect. The other vessel is on your starboard side; therefore under Rule 15, you are the give-way vessel, not the stand-on vessel.

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: Rule 15 (Crossing Situation) & Rule 16 (Action by Give-way Vessel

MCA Oral Rule Mastery Module

Try Another Board Question

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: Rule 15 (Crossing Situation) & Rule 16 (Action by Give-way Vessel)

Correct Decision

Rule 15 states that when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if circumstances permit, avoid crossing ahead of the other.

https://www.pexels.com/@jonas-f-2160549565

SCENARIO 2 OF 3 · Night

NIGHT NAVIGATION LIGHT IDENTIFICATION

SITUATION ON WATCH:

At night on watch, you observe in your binoculars three all-round lights in a vertical line: RED over WHITE over RED, alongside sidelights and a single masthead light.

Bridge Observations

Visual: Vertical lights: Red - White - Red in a line, plus port and starboard sidelights and stern/masthead light.

Bearing: Dead ahead at 2.5 NM

Lights / Day Shapes: Red (All-round) · White (All-round) · Red (All-round) · Port & Starboard Sidelights

What vessel type and operational status is indicated, and what is your priority responsibility under Rule 18?

Vessel Restricted in her Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM), making way through the water. As a
power-driven vessel, you must keep out of her way.

Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling with gear extending over 150m.

Vessel Not Under Command (NUC) making way. You should alter to port.

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: Rule 27(b) (Vessels RAM) & Rule 18 (Responsibilities between Vessels)

Review Required

Incorrect. A vessel fishing other than trawling exhibits Red over White, not Red-White-Red.

MCA Oral Rule Mastery Module

Try Another Board Question

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: Rule 27(b) (Vessels RAM) & Rule 18 (Responsibilities between Vessels)

Correct Decision

Under Rule 27(b), a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre exhibits three all-round lights in a vertical line: Red-White-Red. When making way, she also exhibits masthead lights, sidelights, and a sternlight. Under Rule 18(a)(ii), a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel RAM.

SCENARIO 3 OF 3 · Day

IALA MARITIME BUOYAGE SYSTEM A: CARDINAL MARK

SITUATION ON WATCH:

While navigating coastal waters in Region A, you detect a buoy with two black cones points pointing towards each other (hourglass shape) flashing white Q(9) 15s.

Bridge Observations

Visual: Yellow buoy with a black horizontal
band in the middle. Topmark: two black double cones point-to-point (base-to-base pointing inwards). Light: White quick flash 9 times every 15 seconds.

Bearing: 010° Compass

Lights / Day Shapes: Point-to-point cones · Yellow-Black-Yellow body pattern · Q(9) 15s White

Which quadrant does this cardinal mark indicate, and on which side of the mark is the navigable water?

West Cardinal Mark. Navigable and safe water lies to the WEST of this mark. You must
pass to the West side.

South Cardinal Mark. Pass to the South of the danger.

East Cardinal Mark. Navigable water is to the East.

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: IALA Maritime Buoyage System A & B (NP 735)

Review Required

Incorrect. South Cardinal marks have both cones pointing downwards and flash 6 times plus one long flash (6 o'clock position).

MCA Oral Rule Mastery Module

Try Another Board Question

MCA STATUTORY CITATION: IALA Maritime Buoyage System A & B (NP 735)

Correct Decision

Cones pointing inwards (point-to-point) represent the West Cardinal (looks like a wineglass or "W"). Quick flashing 9 (at the 9 o'clock position on the clock face) confirms West. Safe water is always on the named side of the cardinal mark (West).

• High-definition night navigation light animations
• Comprehensive sound signal audio drills in fog and
line-of-sight

+27 61 116 0682