IRPCS Definititons

Question 1

What is the term vessel?

Answer 1

Includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation.

Question 2

What is the term power driven vessel?

Answer 2

Any vessel propelled by machinery.

Question 3

What is the term sailing vessel?

Answer 3

Any vessel under sail provided that propelled machinery, if fitted is not being used.

Question 4

What is the term vessel engaged in fishing?

Answer 4

Any vessel with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.

Question 5

What is the term seaplane?

Answer 5

Any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water.

Question 6

What is the term vessel not under command?

Answer 6

A vessel which through some exceptional circumstances is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Question 7

What is the term Restricted in ability to manoeuvre?

Answer 7

A vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. This shall include but not be limited to the following;

• Vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline.
• Vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations.
• Vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway.
• Vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft.
• Vessel engaged in mine clearance operations.
• Vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts their course.

Question 8

What is the term constrained by draught?

Answer 8

A power-driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.

Question 8

What is the term underway?

Answer 8

A vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or ground.

Question 9

What is the term length and breadth of a vessel?

Answer 9

Her length overall and greatest breadth.

Question 10

When shall vessels be deemed in sight of one another?

Answer 10

Only when one can be observed visually from the other.

Question 11

What does restricted visibility mean?

Answer 11

Any condition in which restricted visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.

Question 12

What is the term WIG craft?

Answer 12

A multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface effect action.