That's a fantastic and well-deserved success story!

Congratulations on passing your F1 oral

examination, especially with such high praise from the examiner. The details you've provided
are invaluable for other candidates. It's interesting to see that even with the external examiner
absent, the internal examiner, Poswal, was thorough and fair.
Let's break down the questions you were asked and provide detailed answers that would have
earned you that "extraordinary" rating.
Chennai MMD - F1 Second Attempt Examiners: Int. Poswal Date: 30 July 2025
1. How to Determine Safe Speed This is a core COLREGs question based on Rule 6. The
examiner is looking for a comprehensive answer, not just a simple definition.
●​ Definition: Safe speed is the speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective
action to avoid collision and can be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions.
●​ Factors to Consider (Rule 6 lists these):
○​ Visibility: Restricted visibility requires a lower speed.
○​ Traffic Density: High traffic density, especially in a TSS or port approach, requires
a lower speed.
○​ Maneuverability of the Vessel: The turning circle, stopping distance, and a
vessel's handling characteristics are crucial.
○​ Background Light: At night, background lights on shore can obscure a vessel's
navigation lights.
○​ State of Wind, Sea, and Current: Adverse weather and strong currents affect a
vessel's maneuverability.
○​ Draft in Relation to Available Depth: This is critical, especially in shallow waters,
as it affects squat.
○​ Radar Detection: If radar is in use, you must consider its limitations.
2. Explain Rule 2 and Example
●​ Rule 2 (Responsibility): This is one of the most fundamental rules of COLREGs. It
states that nothing in the rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew
thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with the rules, or of the neglect
of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the
special circumstances of the case.
●​ Explanation:
○​ The "General Prudence" Clause: It means that even if you follow a rule, you can
still be found at fault if you do not exercise common sense or "good seamanship."
○​ Example:
■​ A vessel in a crossing situation (Rule 15) is the stand-on vessel.
According to the rule, she must maintain her course and speed.
■​ However, under Rule 17(b), if it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel
is not taking appropriate action, the stand-on vessel is required to take
avoiding action.
■​ Under Rule 2, if the stand-on vessel blindly maintains her course and speed
until the last minute and a collision occurs, she would be held negligent for
not taking action earlier as required by the "ordinary practice of seamen."
This demonstrates how Rule 2 overrides a strict interpretation of other rules
when safety is at stake.
3. Cards: Aground Vessel and Crossing
●​ Aground Vessel Day Signal: Aground is represented by three balls in a vertical line.
●​ Examiner's Confusion Tactic: He was likely trying to trick you by saying it's not
 "all-round white light." He was probably mixing up the "aground" signal with the lights for a
vessel at anchor (which would be an all-round white light forward).
●​ Correct Answer: The lights for a vessel aground are the lights for a vessel at anchor (an
all-round white light forward and aft) plus two all-round red lights in a vertical line. So,
a vessel aground does show all-round white lights, but the two red lights are the unique
part of the signal.
4. RAM (Restricted in Ability to Maneuver) Astern or Anchor Card
●​ RAM (Day Signal): Three shapes in a vertical line: ball-diamond-ball.
●​ RAM (Lights): Three all-round lights in a vertical line: red-white-red.
●​ "RAM Astern or Anchor": This implies a RAM vessel that is either underway and making
way astern or is at anchor. The signal for a RAM vessel is independent of whether it is
underway or at anchor. The day signal and lights for RAM remain the same. The "astern"
part is an interesting point; you would need to add the stern light to a RAM vessel's lights
if it's underway and making way astern. The examiner was likely testing your ability to
differentiate and combine different rules.
5. What is Squat and Factors Determining Squat
●​ Definition: Squat is the phenomenon where a vessel, when underway, sinks bodily
deeper into the water and trims by the bow or stern. It occurs due to the reduction of
water pressure around the hull in shallow water.
●​ Factors Determining Squat:
○​ Speed: Squat increases as speed increases.
○​ Draft/Depth Ratio: The closer the vessel's draft is to the water's depth, the greater
the squat.
○​ Block Coefficient: Fuller vessels (higher block coefficient) experience more squat.
○​ Type of Waterway: Squat is more pronounced in narrow channels or canals than in
open water.
○​ Vessel Trim: Trimmed by the stern, a vessel will experience squat by the stern;
trimmed by the bow, it will squat by the bow.
6. M/E Failure in Singapore Strait Action This is a practical crisis management question. The
Singapore Strait is a high-traffic, narrow waterway.
●​ Immediate Actions:
1.​ Sound the "not under command" (NUC) signal: Two prolonged blasts followed
by one short blast.
2.​ Display NUC signals: Two all-round red lights in a vertical line (at night) or two
black balls (by day).
3.​ Inform the VTS (Vessel Traffic Services): Immediately report the situation to the
Singapore Port Operations Control Centre. State your vessel's name, position, and
the nature of the emergency.
4.​ Inform the local shipping: Use VHF to inform other vessels in the vicinity of your
predicament.
5.​ Assess the situation:
■​ Check for any potential for grounding.
■​ Consider dropping anchor if it's a safe option and the vessel is drifting
towards a hazard.
■​ Prepare engines for a quick restart if possible.
■​ Prepare for towing if necessary.
7. Collided with a Fishing Vessel Action This is a post-collision procedure question.
●​ Immediate Actions (SOLAS Chapter V):
 1.​ Inform the other vessel: Use VHF or any other means to hail the fishing vessel to
check on their safety and to exchange information.
2.​ Sound the alarm: Sound the general emergency alarm on your vessel.
3.​ Assess damage: The master must immediately assess the damage to both
vessels and the extent of any injuries.
4.​ Render assistance: As a master, you have a legal obligation under maritime law to
render assistance to the other vessel and any persons in distress, as long as it
does not endanger your own vessel and crew.
5.​ Log the incident: Record all details of the collision in the logbook, including the
time, position, weather, and actions taken.
6.​ Inform authorities: Report the incident to your company, flag state, and the
nearest coastal state authorities.
8. How to Take Over Navigational Watch and What to Do After
●​ Taking Over Watch (Lookout and Bridge Team Management):
1.​ Check your eyes: Take a few minutes to adapt your eyes to the darkness if it's a
night watch.
2.​ Assess the situation:
■​ Check the vessel's position, course, and speed.
■​ Confirm the intended track and next waypoint.
■​ Check for any known dangers or planned maneuvers.
■​ Assess the traffic situation (visually and on radar).
■​ Check the weather conditions and any relevant forecasts.
■​ Verify the status of all bridge equipment (e.g., ECDIS, radar, compass).
3.​ Confirm and take charge: Once you are satisfied with your assessment, tell the
outgoing officer, "I have the watch."
●​ After Taking Over:
1.​ Maintain a good lookout: This is the primary duty of the watch officer.
2.​ Monitor the traffic: Keep track of all vessels in the vicinity and assess the risk of
collision.
3.​ Monitor the vessel: Regularly check the vessel's course, speed, and position to
ensure it is on track.
4.​ Keep the logbook updated: Record all relevant information, including position
fixes, weather, and traffic observations.
5.​ Follow the company's standing orders and master's night orders.
6.​ Call the master if necessary: Don't hesitate to call the master if there is any doubt,
a significant change in the situation, or if a collision risk is developing.
9. How to Overtake in RV (Restricted Visibility) and Where It's Mentioned
●​ Overtaking in RV: Overtaking is not explicitly mentioned as a specific rule in Rule 19.
Rule 19(d) and (e) are the relevant sections.
●​ Explanation:
○​ Rule 19(d): If you detect another vessel by radar, you must determine if a risk of
collision exists. If so, take avoiding action in ample time.
○​ Rule 19(d)(i): A course alteration to starboard is generally preferred to avoid
collision, but this rule is more focused on preventing a close-quarters situation.
○​ The "Where it's mentioned" part: The examiner is testing whether you can apply
the general rules of RV (Rule 19) to a specific situation like overtaking, which is
typically covered by Rule 13 (Overtaking). The correct answer is to act according to
Rule 19, which is the overriding rule in restricted visibility. You would not use the
 sound signals from Rule 34 for overtaking, as they are not applicable in RV. You
would use the appropriate fog signals from Rule 35.
10. Advantage of ECDIS
●​ Primary Advantages:
○​ Enhanced Situational Awareness: Provides a real-time, visual representation of
the vessel's position on an electronic chart.
○​ Safety Alarms: Features such as anti-grounding, safety contour, and waypoint
alarms significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
○​ Route Planning: Allows for efficient and precise route planning, including
automatic calculation of waypoints and distances.
○​ Reduced Workload: Automates many manual tasks, such as position plotting and
logbook entries.
○​ Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other bridge equipment (GPS, radar, AIS,
echo sounder) for a centralized navigation system.
11. Routing Charts Explanation
●​ Definition: Routing charts (e.g., Admiralty Routeing Charts) are special charts published
for specific ocean basins (e.g., North Atlantic, Indian Ocean).
●​ Information: They provide an overview of a region's weather and oceanic conditions for a
specific month. They include:
○​ Prevailing Wind and Current Direction and Speed: Shown with arrows and
frequencies.
○​ Ice Limits: The maximum extent of ice.
○​ Shipping Lanes: Major shipping routes.
○​ Load Line Zones: The boundaries of different load line zones.
○​ Tropical Storm Tracks: The historical paths of tropical storms and hurricanes.
○​ Oceanic Information: Tides, currents, and sea temperatures.
●​ Purpose: They are a planning tool to help a master choose the safest and most efficient
route for an ocean passage, avoiding adverse weather and taking advantage of favorable
currents.
12. Sound Signal and Day Signal of Aground Vessel
●​ Day Signal: Three black balls in a vertical line.
●​ Sound Signal (Rule 35): The signal for a vessel aground is a combination of signals:
○​ The bell must be rung rapidly for about 5 seconds.
○​ The gong (if fitted) must be rung rapidly for about 5 seconds.
○​ A vessel aground is also required to give three separate and distinct strokes on
the bell (one before and one after the rapid ringing of the bell).
○​ This signal is sounded at intervals of not more than one minute.
Congratulations again! Your success is a testament to your hard work and preparation.