COLREGS Flashcards
Define “vessel engaged in fishing”
Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restricts manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.
Define “vessel not under command”
A vessel through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
Define “vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre”
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.
Define “vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre” shall include but not be limited to:
(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.
Define “vessel constrained by her draught”
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.
Define “restricted visibility”
Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
Define “underway”
A vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
Define Lookout
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
Define Safe speed
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
What are the factors determining safe speed by all vessels?
(VD Makes Little Willies Drip)
(i) the state of visibility;
(ii) the traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
(iii) the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
(iv) at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from backscatter of her own lights;
(v) the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;
(vi) the draught in relation to the available depth of water.
What are the factors determining safe speed by vessels with operational radar?
(Charlie Can’t Eat Pie No More)
(i) the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment;
(ii) the constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use;
(iii) the effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather and other sources of interference
(iv) the possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range;
(v) the number, location, and movement of vessels detected by radar;
(vi) the more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.
Define Risk of collision
- Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt then such risk shall be deemed to exist.
- Proper use of radar equipment, to give early warning of a risk of collision
- Assumptions shall not be made based on scanty information
- Such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
- Such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range
Define Action to avoid collision
- Be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship
- Large enough to be made apparent visually or by radar
- Alteration of course alone may be enough if it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation
- Effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally passed and clear
- A vessel not to impede must take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage for the other vessel
Define Do Not Impede
Take early action to allow sufficient sea-room for the safe passage of the other vessel
Overview of Rule 9 Narrow channels
- Keep near the outer limit of the channel on the starboard side
- Vessels less than 20m or sailing vessels shall not impede thepassage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel
- Fishing vessel shall not impede any vessel
- Crossing vessel shall not to impede a vessel that can only navigate safely in the channel
- Overtaking and blind bend sound signals
- Avoid anchoring
Overview of Rule 10 Traffic separation schemes
- Does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule
- Proceeds in direction of traffic, join or depart at the beginning or end or at as shallow angle as possible if required
- Avoid Crossing but if needed, do at right angles to flow
- Vessels less than 20m, Sailing Vessels and Fishing Vessels may use Inshore Traffic Zone
- All vessels may use ITZ getting to/from port or to avoid immediate danger
- Only enter Separation zone if, Crossing, Fishing, Joining, Leaving and Avoiding Immediate Danger
- Avoid anchoring in TSS or near terminations
- If not using, avoid it by wide margin
- Fishing Vessels not to impede any vessel following a traffic lane
- Vessels less than 20m or Sailing Vessels not to impede Power Driven Vessel following traffic lane
- RAM allowed for safety of navigation or cable laying
Overview of Rule 12 Sailing vessels
- Port tack keep out of way of starboard
- Same tack, windward keep out of way
- If port tack cannot be determine, keep out of way
Overview of Rule 13 Overtaking
- King Rule, supersedes everything except Rule 19
- Deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam
- If uncertain then assume overtaking
- Cannot turn overtaking into crossing keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally passed and clear
Overview of Rule 14 Head-on situation
- Only between 2 power-driven vessels
- Reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses alter to starboard passing port to port
- When in doubt assume head on and act accordingly
Overview of Rule 15 Crossing situation
- Only between 2 power driven vessels
- The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way
- Avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel
Overview of Rule 16 Action by give-way vessel
Take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
Overview of Rule 17
- SHALL maintain course and speed
- MAY take action by her manoeuvre alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the vessel required to keep out of other way is not taking appropriate actions in compliance with these rules.
- If the vessel required to keep her own course and speed ends up so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she SHALL take action to avoid collision
- If crossing situation the vessel shall not alter to port for a vessel on her own port side.
- Does not releive the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way
What is the order of vessels to keep out of the way of one another in Rule 18?
- NUC
- RAM
- CBD
- Fishing/Trawling
- Sailing/Oars
- Power Driven Vessel
- Sea Planes/WIG
