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Collision at sea

Chief Mate
2nd Mate

times asked: 12; times asked
questions: 6; questions
last asked: 2025; last asked

The slides, written out

AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale.

Slide 1 · LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS

LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS FOR A SAFER TOMORROW PASSENGER SHIP EMERGENCIES COLLISION AT SEA WHAT TO DO AS A DECK OFFICER PEOPLE | SAFETY | STABILITY | EVIDENCE RIGHT ACTIONS SAVE LIVES | |

Slide 2 · LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS

LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS FOR A SAFER TOMORROW PASSENGER SHIP EMERGENCIES COLLISION AT SEA WHAT TO DO AS A DECK OFFICER PEOPLE | SAFETY | STABILITY | EVIDENCE 1 THE FIRST FEW SECONDS IMPACT → CONTROL → PROTECT ACT FAST THINK CLEAR KEEP EVERYONE SAFE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS QUICK ACTION SAVES LIVES Inform the Master immediately and call the engine room. Reduce or stop the engine as required, while maintaining safe control. Change to hand steering if required. Sound the emergency alarm and make the general announcement. Close the watertight doors, fire doors and other openings assigned in the muster list / emergency procedures, taking account of damage control and escape arrangements. Muster the crew at their emergency stations according to the muster list. If there is a risk of sinking, prepare survival craft before abandonment becomes necessary, in accordance with the emergency plan. THINK & ASSESS Plot the exact position and time of collision. Preserve relevant course recorder and data logger information. Sound / inspect appropriate bilges and tanks to establish the extent of flooding. Check for fire, flooding, structural failure, stability problems and oil pollution. Take action to prevent or minimize further damage. Exhibit the appropriate COLREG lights and shapes for the vessel's actual condition. If Not Under Command, exhibit the Rule 27 signals. Maintain the required GMDSS watch and, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF 16. Use VHF 13 as appropriate for bridge to bridge navigation safety communications. Provide first aid where required. Assess the condition of the other vessel and render assistance where required and safe to do so. CALM ACTION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE KNOWLEDGE BUILDS SAFER SEAS

Slide 3 · LEARN

LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS FOR A SAFER TOMORROW PASSENGER SHIP EMERGENCIES COLLISION AT SEA WHAT TO DO AS A DECK OFFICER PEOPLE | SAFETY | STABILITY | EVIDENCE 2 THE PASSENGER DIMENSION PEOPLE → FLOODING → STABILITY CALM PEOPLE FOLLOW PROCEDURES PROTECT LIVES PASSENGER ACCOUNTABILITY Carry out passenger and crew muster and accountability according to the muster list and emergency procedures. Assigned personnel assist passengers to assembly stations. Search passenger spaces for persons who may be trapped. Use the PA system regularly with calm, clear and understandable information. Do not expose crew to unnecessary risk during searches. ASSEMBLY STATION FIRE & DAMAGE Check immediately for fire and fire-main damage. Check for fuel or oil release. Establish whether fire is adjacent to accommodation or other critical spaces. Apply boundary cooling where required by the situation and emergency procedures. DAMAGE STABILITY Assess the actual damaged condition using the approved stability information, damage control plan and loading computer (where fitted and approved). Check draft, trim and list. Assess flooding extent and location. Consider loss of buoyancy and free-surface effects where applicable. Determine the vessel's residual damage stability. Collision Damage Passenger ships have specific subdivision and damage-stability requirements under SOLAS Chapter II-1, based on a probabilistic concept. Do not assume a fixed number of compartments. KNOWLEDGE BUILDS SAFER SEAS

Slide 4 · LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS

LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS FOR A SAFER TOMORROW PASSENGER SHIP EMERGENCIES COLLISION AT SEA WHAT TO DO AS A DECK OFFICER PEOPLE | SAFETY | STABILITY | EVIDENCE 3 REPORTING & PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE THE CASUALTY RECORD STARTS IMMEDIATELY REPORT RECORD PRESERVE SUPPORT REPORT TO AUTHORITIES & COMPANY Notify the company/owners and appropriate authorities in accordance with applicable reporting procedures. Provide factual information including: Date, time and position (UTC and local time) Weather and sea conditions Circumstances and sequence of events Other vessel's identity and relevant details Damage to both vessels Injuries or casualties Pollution (if any) Current danger to the vessel Whether repairs can be carried out onboard Whether salvage, towage or docking may be required Whether the vessel can safely continue the voyage COMPANY / OWNERS APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES KEEP COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN PRESERVE EVIDENCE Immediately preserve all available navigational and operational records relevant to the casualty. ECDIS navigation records VDR / S-VDR data GPS and AIS information Radar records (where available) Course recorder Engine room records Echo sounder records Bridge, radio, weather and engine logs Passage plan, standing orders and night orders Pilot card and relevant documents Photographs of damage CCTV recordings (where available) Witness information and factual notes VOYAGE DATA RECORDER DO NOT OPEN REPORT TO AUTHORITIES BRIDGE LOG BOOK UTC 12:36 Collision with vessel 12:38 Engine reduced 12:40 Sounded emergency alarm 12:45 Reported to company 12:50 Commenced assessment ECDIS GPS AIS RADAR LOGS VDR CCTV FACTS FIRST Record observed facts separately from estimates or later reconstruction of courses, speeds and angle of contact. NO FIXED TIME RULE Do not use a fixed "60 minutes before collision" rule unless specifically required by the applicable system or authority. KNOWLEDGE BUILDS SAFER SEAS

Slide 5 · LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS

LEARN PREPARE PROGRESS FOR A SAFER TOMORROW PASSENGER SHIP EMERGENCIES COLLISION AT SEA WHAT TO DO AS A DECK OFFICER PEOPLE | SAFETY | STABILITY | EVIDENCE 4 LOG BOOK & CASUALTY DISCIPLINE RECORD → REPORT → COOPERATE ACCURATE RECORDS PROTECT LIVES SUPPORT INVESTIGATION LOG BOOK ENTRIES Document everything as early as possible: Time of collision (UTC and local/ship time) Position Weather and sea conditions Sequence of events Vessel's actions and decisions taken Damage and flooding observations Communications made (internal and external) Assistance rendered or received Subsequent developments DECK LOG BOOK 10:24 Collision with vessel 10:30 Engine stopped (as required) 10:32 Emergency alarm sounded 10:35 Muster crew initiated 10:40 Damage assessment commenced 10:55 Reported to company 11:10 Authorities notified INTEGRITY OF THE RECORD Keep the record factual and reliable: Do not speculate on cause or liability. Record factual observations accurately. Preserve original records (no unauthorized alterations or deletions). Crew to make personal notes – facts only. Cooperate with authorized authorities and investigators. Follow company casualty-reporting procedures. Refer legal and insurance matters through the Master's/company's designated channels. Accurate records today protect you, your crew and your ship tomorrow. SURVEYORS, INVESTIGATORS & ACCESS Control access to the vessel: Allow access in accordance with the Master's authority, security procedures and instructions from the company, flag/port authorities, casualty investigators and designated legal/P&I representatives. Do not make unauthorized admissions or statements concerning liability. REMEMBER PROTECT LIFE | CONTROL DAMAGE | RECORD FACTS | COOPERATE KNOWLEDGE BUILDS SAFER SEAS

In exams

Asked 12 times across 6 different questions, most recently in 2025. Asked most in Chief Mate (10), 2nd Mate (2).

Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.

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