200370 Teaching COLREGS

Teaching COLREGS
MARS Report 200370

In the August edition of SEAWAYS, Captain Syms gave his first analysis of the survey into the Officers' understanding (or otherwise) of the COLREGS. This was a catalyst for discussions on board (again) and I put Scenario 1 to all three of my watchkeepers before they read the article. Both junior officers claimed that they had the right of way over a crossing vessel when they were following a TSS. The (soon to be promoted) Mate got the answer right and was as concerned as I was at the junior officers' response. Imagine our surprise (horror) when the 2nd Mate produced a Cadet's Study Book which implied that vessels following a lane in a TSS have the right of way over crossing vessels. This is what he was taught at college, followed by service on two ships as Cadet then six contracts as 3rd and then 2nd Mate.

I am writing under the auspices of MARS because, as he works for a company that cultivates a definite "Blame Culture" (although not on paper), the 2nd Mate was concerned for his future employment prospects if he could be identified. I would hate to see this as he is way above the average. Perhaps you could use the comments made here to bring attention to what may be part of the proximate cause of widespread failures to follow the COLREGS, namely, ignorance on the part of the teachers in some colleges.

As an aside (but related to this subject) I sailed on a vessel on which there was correspondence on file between the company and the MCA detailing a complaint that the vessel, westbound in the channel, had failed to give way to a ferry as required by the COLREGS. The Master blamed the Mate who was then dismissed. Subsequently, I sailed with a 3rd Mate who was a Cadet on the bridge when the above incident occurred. He stated that the Mate was actually working on deck and that the Master was in charge of the watch at the time. The same Master then went ashore as Company Training Officer and taught for a time in a college.