What should you do if an unauthorized vessel enters a restricted area?

What should you do if an unauthorized vessel enters a restricted area?

• A. Ignore and continue
• B. Advise they are not authorized to enter and contact the Duty Vetter
• C. Detain them
• D. Call authorities

Answer: (B)

When an unauthorized vessel enters a restricted area, you must clearly inform them they are not authorized to enter and immediately contact the Duty Vetter. This establishes proper authority and boundaries, and gets the incident into the formal response channel so the right person can assess the risk and decide the next steps. It avoids taking unilateral actions that could create legal or safety issues, and ensures the response is coordinated through the correct chain of command. While you proceed, monitor the situation, note vessel details and time, and document the communication so there’s an accurate record for follow-up.

When an unauthorized vessel enters a restricted area, you must clearly inform them they are not authorized to enter and immediately contact the Duty Vetter. This establishes proper authority and boundaries, and gets the incident into the formal response channel so the right person can assess the risk and decide the next steps. It avoids taking unilateral actions that could create legal or safety issues, and ensures the response is coordinated through the correct chain of command. While you proceed, monitor the situation, note vessel details and time, and document the communication so there’s an accurate record for follow-up.