This program is a training and assessment program for the COLREGS (and includes forthcoming amendments). It is designed for use by anyone who is required to know and apply the International Regulations for the Preventing of Collisions at Sea.The program was initially designed for students studying for all level of certificates of competency.

It consists of various multiple choice quizzes using a bank of in excess of 800 questions. Some of the questions are follow-on type - takes the user through a complete situation from first sighting until past and clear. In certain cases there maybe more than one correct solution to a collision situation - the program acknowledges this and will if required give an explanation as to the preferred option in the situation.

Each of the sections covered contains a Tutorial, Test and Assesment. It also allows a student to keep track of his progress by storing exam scores individually for each student.

The following Image demonstrates the look and feel of the program. The tabs on the top of the image should give you an idea of what is covered in this package.

Three Modes of testing:
Tutorial: If a question is wrongly answered it will appear again later in the quiz - the quiz only terminates when the user has answered all questions correctly. (There is access to the on-line COLREGS at all times for reference.
Test Mode: Each question is asked only once ( access to COLREGS only after question answered) .
Assessment Mode: Each question is asked only once. Questions answered wrongly are negatively marked - this is to discourage guessing!

Scores are displayed continuously and a report given at the end of each quiz. Scores will be recorded if user name entered, previuos scores can be viewed or printed out.

The groups of individual quizzes are divided into the following areas:
Steering and sailing rules: Tests the understanding and application of the rules in Part B of COLREGS and includes follow-on questions on collision avoidance.
Ships Lights and Shapes: Test the knowledge rules of Part C - the user can select the depth of questions to be tested. The vessels displayed have randomised aspects - ie maybe fine or broad on the bow.
Sound Signals: Covers manoeuvring and warning signals, signals in restricted visibility and requirements for sound signals.
Radar and the Rules: An on-screen arpa radar has to be used to answer these questions. The questions are of the follow-on type, to find CPA,TCPA, Aspect of target and action to be taken. Ownships head is randomised. Quizzes cover single and multiple vessels situations in clear and restricted visibility.
Distress signals: Thoroughly covers Rule 37 and Annex lV . It includes pyrotechics, other distress signals, and questions on distress radio communications (GMDSS).
Rule Contents: Tests user on knowledge of the overall contents of the Rules.

There are a series of short assessment tests for testing current knowledge on various aspects of the COLREGS.

For user reference:
In addition to the comment at the end of each question, on clicking the COLREGS button the appropriate rule will be displayed.
There are quick guides to:
(i) Lights Shapes and fog signals condensing all the information about each type of vessel.
(ii) Distress signals.

System requirements:
Windows 95+
Screen (lowest resolution 800 x 600). 16 bit colour and sound.
Network Version Available.
Hard Disk Space required 14MB

USER GROUPS

This program is designed for use by:
- Professional seafarers - On board training as well as ashore for all levels of Certificates of Competency.
- Nautical training establishments and organisations.
- RYA and other yachting and small boat courses
- Students studying for school certificates in nautical subjects.

Parts of the program may be integrated into courses as another form or learning strategy.
Some examples of these:

Radar and Bridge team courses generally - the radar part of this program may be used as a short break from simulators ( and the delegates assess and take action in more collision situations in half an hour that they will experience in a week in a simulator). This is a useful group exercise (2 or 3 per machine).

This part of the program is also useful for quickly consolidating knowledge in the use of vectors and trial manoeuvre for those taking first certificates of competency.
For yachting/ sailing courses in the Steering and Sailing menu page the Sailing vessels option has been designed especially to test Rule 12 in much greater detail than would otherwise be required.

The distress signals quiz may be used in Proficiency in Survival craft and rescue boat courses to reinforce knowledge of distress signals, and the distress telecoms in GMDSS courses.

The above suggestions are just to show how parts, (rather than using the program as a whole) may be integrated into different learning programs.