Recently I have seen many students while they did answer to the ROR situation they are using rule 2 easily without thinking to other rules. As my opinion this could be caused by the manner of teaching in our classes and I think there is subconscious process here by the students in this regards as they are looking only for taking an action instead of understanding the principles of the rules. Now a day in many collages outside of our country, the lecturers and examiners are looking for the interpretation of the rules by the student which is required the fully understanding of the principles and the lecturers try to teach the rule of the road in the following frame work:
- spot a target
- Assess the situation and or question
- Identify the risk of collision
- Lights, shape. Etc
- Identify the scenario
- Who is responsible
- What are my options
- Action
- To monitor until passed and cleared
If the students are taught by the above frame work then any situation can be resolved before we reach to rule 2 unless some catastrophic situation put you into rule 2. I can also say that the rules are like any other manuals on board, they give us an introduction and the application process with the fully definition of the used words and phrases. By looking at the normal navigation watch on board the ship, i.e we need to keep a sharp look out while the ship is proceeding at the safe speed, we see something to identify the risk of collision (ROC) and then identify the situation which is the case we decide who is responsible and then take action as long as that action complies with the rule 8, so basically the rules are in right order if we understand the principles of the rules not just looking for the action in the given situation.
When rule2 is explained to the students the lecturer should ensure that the students are fully understand that the special circumstances referred to in rule2 are those occasional and extraordinary situations that the vessels may sometimes find themselves in and while taking action to avoid collision could not actually be complied with the other rules as required by the content of rule 2. Some of the lecturer are in believe that the rule 2 is the master’s rule because mostly in exceptional and extraordinary situation the master is presenting at the navigational bridge according to the requirements of companies ISM code, bridge team management and other legal requirements which has been defined the master’s role as a cone of navigation.
