The bridge of a 300-meter VLCC approaching the Malacca Strait at 0300 hours is not the place to second-guess the difference between a "close-quarters situation" and "risk of collision." You are the Master now. The OOW looks to you when the radar screen clusters with AIS targets and the ARPA vectors start crossing in ways that don't match the textbook. In the Master FG Orals, the DGS surveyor isn't just checking if you know the rules; they are checking if you have the temperament and the command presence to make the right decision when the lives of 22 crew members and a multi-million dollar asset are on the line.
At the Master’s level, COLREGs move beyond simple "Red to Red" or "Green to Green." The examiner at MMD Mumbai or MMD Chennai will push you into "grey areas" where multiple rules apply simultaneously, and your ability to prioritize is what earns you the COC.
The Master FG (ASM) Exam Structure
Before diving into the tactical application of the rules, you must understand the framework of the Master FG (also known as ASM FG) examination as per the current DGS India requirements. To sit for your orals, you must have cleared your written papers and met the sea service requirements as a Chief Officer.
The written structure consists of exactly four papers:
1. Advanced Shipboard Management (ASM-MFG)
2. Marine Environment & Ocean Governance (EM-301)
3. Port Management (EM-302)
4. Commercial Shipping Management (EM-303)
The Oral Examination is the final hurdle, conducted by a DGS surveyor at your chosen MMD center. It is here that your practical knowledge of COLREGs will be scrutinized through various scenarios.
Rule 2 and Rule 8: The Foundation of Command
In a Chief Mate oral exam, you might get away with reciting Rule 15 verbatim. In a Master FG oral, the surveyor will likely start with Rule 2 (Responsibility). They want to see if you understand that no rule exonerates you from the consequences of any neglect to comply with the rules or the neglect of any precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen.
When presented with a scenario—for example, a crossing situation where the give-way vessel is not taking action—the surveyor is looking for your application of Rule 8 (Action to avoid collision). Your answers must emphasize that action should be positive, made in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.
In the oral room, never say "I will wait and see." As a Master, "waiting" is a decision, and often a poor one. You must demonstrate that you recognize a close-quarters situation early and that your maneuvers are large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar.
Practical Scenario: Multi-Vessel Interaction in a TSS
A classic master fg orals scenario involves a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), such as the one near Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) or the English Channel.
The Scenario: You are on a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane. You have a vessel on your starboard bow crossing the lane (the give-way vessel), and simultaneously, you are overtaking a slower vessel ahead. A third vessel, a constrained by draft (CBD) tanker, is emerging from a deep-water route.
The Master's Approach:
1. Rule 10 (TSS): Acknowledge you are in a TSS but remember it does not relieve you of your obligations under any other rule.
2. Rule 17 (Action by Stand-on Vessel): You are the stand-on vessel for the crossing ship. However, Rule 17(a)(ii) allows you to take action by your maneuver alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
3. Rule 13 (Overtaking): You are the give-way vessel for the ship ahead of you.
4. The Conflict: You cannot simply alter course to starboard to avoid the crossing vessel if it puts you into a collision course with the vessel you are overtaking.
In this scenario, the surveyor is looking for your ability to manage safe speed and potentially use Rule 34 (Sound and Light Signals). Your answer should involve early communication (if appropriate), a reduction in speed to buy time, and a clear, bold maneuver that solves both problems without creating a third.
COLREGs in Restricted Visibility
This is where many candidates falter. In restricted visibility, there is no such thing as a "stand-on" or "give-way" vessel. Rule 19 governs everything.
If the surveyor places you in a fog bank off the coast of Kandla and tells you that you have a target on your port quarter that is overtaking you, do not use the term "stand-on." Under Rule 19, every vessel must take action.
Key technical points to hit in your maritime oral exam:
* Safe Speed: You must be at a speed where you can take proper and effective action.
* Engines Ready: State clearly that your engines are on immediate maneuver.
* Rule 19(d): If you detect a vessel by radar alone, you must determine if a close-quarters situation is developing. If so, you shall take avoiding action in ample time.
* Avoid: An alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (other than for a vessel being overtaken).
The surveyor will often try to trick you by asking, "The vessel is on your starboard side in fog, do you stand on?" The answer is a firm "No." Under Rule 19, there is no "standing on."
The "Last Moment" Maneuver: Rule 17(b)
As a Master, you must know when the "Rules" end and "Survival" begins. Rule 17(b) states that when the stand-on vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.
The surveyor will ask: "When do you invoke 17(b)?"
There is no fixed distance (like 2 miles or 1 mile). The answer depends on the maneuverability of your vessel, the CPA (Closest Point of Approach), and the relative speed. You must explain that you will monitor the range and bearing constantly. If the bearing is steady and the range is decreasing, and the give-way vessel has reached the point where its own action cannot prevent a collision, you must act.
Mention that you would use the wake-up signal (five short and rapid blasts) before reaching this point. This shows the surveyor you are a proactive Master who uses all tools available, including sound signaling, to prevent a crisis.
Your Next Step
Navigating the complexities of the Master FG orals requires more than just reading the bridge posters. You need to simulate these scenarios until the reactions are instinctive.
At Sailrnetwork, we provide the tools to bridge the gap between a Chief Mate’s knowledge and a Master’s command. Use SailrAI to simulate high-pressure oral scenarios and get instant feedback on your COLREGs application. Our exam prep module is tailored for the DGS syllabus, covering everything from ASM to Commercial Shipping. For those managing modern fleet requirements, our CII Calculator and SailrQ community discussions provide real-time insights into how senior officers are handling the evolving maritime landscape in 2025.
Don't just pass the exam—prepare for the command.
Always verify current requirements and procedures at [dgshipping.gov.in](https://dgshipping.gov.in)