COLREGs in the oral: know them cold, apply them live.

How important are the COLREGs in the MCA oral?

Central. The OOW Yachts <3000 GT, Master Yachts <500 GT and Master Yachts <3000 GT syllabuses each require 'a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent' (the OOW syllabus says 'contents') of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Where there is a Part A — OOW Unlimited and Master (Code <200 GT) / OOW (yachts <500 GT) — three of the 15 questions are on the Collision Regulations, and the minimum to pass that topic is 90%.

What does 'content, application and intent' mean in practice?

Our reading of it: content is knowing what each Rule says; application is using it correctly in a live scenario — which vessel gives way, what action, when; intent is knowing why the Rule exists, so you can reason through a situation that doesn't fit neatly. Reciting a Rule word for word covers only the first of the three.

Is IALA buoyage tested the same way?

It carries the same 90% minimum in Part A, with three of the 15 questions. The OOW Yachts <3000 GT syllabus lists the IALA maritime buoyage systems A and B by name under passage planning.

How are the COLREGs structured?

41 Rules in six parts, plus four Annexes. Part A, General (Rules 1–3); Part B, Steering and Sailing Rules (4–19); Part C, Lights and Shapes (20–31); Part D, Sound and Light Signals (32–37); Part E, Exemptions (38); and Part F, Verification of Compliance (39–41). The Annexes cover the positioning and technical detail of lights and shapes, extra signals for fishing vessels fishing close together, sound signal appliances, and distress signals.

Which Rules should I know best?

All of them — but the steering and sailing rules carry most scenarios. Lookout (Rule 5), safe speed (6), risk of collision (7) and action to avoid collision (8) underpin almost any situation an examiner sets up, and conduct in restricted visibility (19) is where the crossing and overtaking rules stop applying, because those govern only vessels in sight of one another.

Do I need to know lights and shapes by heart?

Yes. Expect to identify a vessel, its aspect and what it is doing from its lights or shapes — and then say what you would do about it. Sound signals (Part D) come up the same way, often in restricted visibility scenarios.

How do I practise COLREGs for the oral?

Drill recognition until it's instant — lights, shapes, buoyage and sound signals — then practise talking through scenarios out loud, giving the Rule, the action and the reason. Being asked 'and then what?' is the part most candidates haven't rehearsed.

Try the free COLREGs quiz on this site for lights, shapes, sound signals and buoyage. Bridgedeck Study has the same drills plus the steering rules, free — no card, no timer.