What is the purpose of maintaining a proper lookout as required by COLREGS Rule 5?

• A. To observe weather patterns for forecast.
• B. To log ship speed in the logbook.
• C. To detect other vessels and hazards in time to avoid collisions.
• D. To communicate with other ships automatically.

Answer: (C)

Maintaining a proper look-out is about staying vigilant and using all available means to observe the surrounding traffic and hazards. The main purpose is to detect other vessels and hazards in time to avoid collisions, so you can take early action—like altering course or speed—before a dangerous situation develops. This means using sight, hearing, and equipment such as radar or AIS, adjusted to the current conditions. The other activities listed aren’t the aim of the look-out: watching for weather is part of navigation planning, logging speed is a separate duty, and automatic communication cannot replace the need to observe and assess risk to prevent a collision.