Boating Essentials · Lesson 2 of 6

See risk early: lookout and collision basics

A safe skipper does not wait for another boat to feel close. Learn a repeatable scan, assess, act, check cycle that creates time and preserves options.

⏱ 15–20 minutes◎ Beginner✓ 3 knowledge checks

By the end, you can…

Describe a proper lookout using sight, hearing and available information.
Recognise steady bearing and decreasing range.
Explain why avoiding action should be early, substantial and checked.

01 · SEE IT

A lookout is a continuous job

Looking straight ahead is not enough. Build a calm 360-degree picture: ahead, each bow, abeam, each quarter and astern. Listen for engines, horns and breaking water. Use radar, AIS and other suitable equipment when available—but never assume a screen replaces eyes and ears.

Two recreational motorboats approaching a crossing situation — Spot the other vessel while there is still time to observe, assess and choose a clear action.

1 · Scan

Look and listen all around. Account for blind spots and distractions.

2 · Assess

Where is it, how is it moving, and is the range closing?

3 · Act

If action is required, make it positive and in ample time.

4 · Check

Keep observing until the vessel is finally past and clear.

02 · CONNECT IT

Use the clock-face method

Imagine your bow points to 12 o’clock. A contact at 3 is on the starboard beam, 9 is on the port beam and 6 is astern. Call its position, then compare it again after a short interval.

Memory anchor: Same place, bigger boat = growing risk. A nearly steady relative bearing with decreasing range warns that collision risk may exist.

STEADY BEARING+DECREASING RANGE=COLLISION RISK

03 · USE IT

Turn observation into a decision

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Worked example

A boat stays beside the same windscreen pillar

You check twice. It remains beside the pillar but looks larger. Treat the risk as real, identify the applicable rules and take early, obvious action appropriate to the full situation. Then check that the bearing opens and you will pass at a safe distance.

RuleWhat it asks of you

COLREG Rule 5Maintain a proper lookout by sight, hearing and all available appropriate means.

Rule 6Proceed at a safe speed that allows effective action and appropriate stopping distance.

Rule 7Use all available means to assess risk; if in doubt, deem that risk exists.

Rule 8Act positively in ample time, make alterations readily apparent and check the result.

04 · RETRIEVE IT

Check your understanding

1. Why is looking only ahead insufficient?

Hazards can approach from any direction, while sound and available equipment may reveal something vision misses.

2. The bearing seems steady but you are uncertain. What now?

Treat collision risk as existing while assessing further. Rule 7 explicitly resolves doubt this way.

3. Why avoid a series of tiny course changes?

They may be hard for the other vessel to detect. When circumstances allow, action should be readily apparent.

05 · DO IT

The two-minute scan drill

Name hazards by clock position.
Choose two contacts and note each bearing.
Check again after 30–60 seconds.
Say what information you still need.

Lesson takeaway

Scan, assess, act, check. A proper lookout creates time; early, clear action and continued monitoring turn that time into safety.

Educational information only. Apply current Navigation Rules, local requirements and competent practical instruction.