Colregs Intro

Question 1

Where would I find the COLREGS

Answer 1

In NP100 (the Mariners Handbook) or MSN 1781

Question 2

Which law brought the Colregs in to UK law

Answer 2

The Merchant Shipping Regulations 1996
(Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions)

Question 3

How many rules, sections and Annexes make up the Colregs

Answer 3

The COLREGs include 41 rules divided into six sections and 4 annexes

Question 4

Which Rules are in which sections

Answer 4

Part A: General - 1-3
Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules
Section I - Conduct of vessels in any conditions of visibility 4-10
Section II - Conduct of vessels in sight of one another 11-19
Section III - Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility 19
Part C: Lights and Shapes 20-31
Part D: Sound and Light signals 32-37
Part E: Exemptions 38

Question 5

What are the annexes of the colregs

Answer 5

Annex I Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes
Annex II Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity
Annex III Technical details of sounds signal appliances
Annex IV Distress signals

Question 6

Why do we need to comply with the colregs

Answer 6

International convention, the 1972 Convention on the Internation Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea

Question 7

Overview of Rule 1

Answer 7

Rule 1 states that the rules apply to all vessels upon the high seas and all waters connected to the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels.

Question 8

Overview of Rule 2

Answer 8

Rule 2 covers the responsibility of the Master, owner and crew to comply with the rules

Question 9

Overview of Rule 3

Answer 9

Rule 3 includes definitions.

Question 10

Overview of Rule 4

Answer 10

Rule 4 says the section applies in any condition of visibility.

Question 11

Overview of Rule 5

Answer 11

Rule 5 requires that “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.

Question 12

Overview of Rule 6

Answer 12

Rule 6 deals with safe speed. It requires that: “Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe
speed…”. The Rule describes the factors which should be taken into account in determining
safe speed. Several of these refer specifically to vessels equipped with radar. The importance
of using “all available means” is further stressed in rule 7

Question 13

Overview of Rule 7

Answer 13

Rule 7 covering risk of collision, which warns that “assumptions shall not be made on the
basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information”

Question 14

Overview of Rule 8

Answer 14

Rule 8 covers action to be taken to avoid collision.

Question 15

Overview of Rule 9

Answer 15

In Rule 9 a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway is obliged to
keep “as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is
safe and practicable.” The same Rule obliges a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a
sailing vessel not to impede the passage of a vessel “which can safely navigate only within a
narrow channel or fairway.”

The Rule also forbids ships to cross a narrow channel or fairway “if such crossing impedes
the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.”

Question 16

Overview of Rule 10

Answer 16

Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations deals with the behaviour of vessels in or near traffic
separation schemes adopted by the Organization. By regulation 8 of Chapter V (Safety of
Navigation) of SOLAS, IMO is recognized as being the only organization competent to deal
with international measures concerning the routeing of ships.

Rule 10 states that ships crossing traffic lanes are required to do so “as nearly as practicable
at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.” This reduces confusion to other ships
as to the crossing vessel’s intentions and course and at the same time enables that vessel to
cross the lane as quickly as possible.

Fishing vessels “shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane” but are
not banned from fishing. This is in line with Rule 9 which states that “a vessel engaged in
fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel
or fairway”.

In 1981 the regulations were amended. Two new paragraphs were added to Rule
10 to exempt vessels which are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre “when engaged in an
operation for the safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme” or when engaged in
cable laying.

In 1987 the regulations were again amended. It was stressed that Rule 10 applies to traffic
separation schemes adopted by the Organization (IMO) and does not relieve any vessel of her
obligation under any other rule.

Question 17

Overview of Rule 11

Answer 17

Rule 11 says the section applies to vessels in sight of one another.

Question 18

Overview of Rule 12

Answer 18

Rule 12 states action to be taken when two sailing vessels are approaching one another.

Question 19

Overview of Rule 13

Answer 19

Rule 13 covers overtaking -
Notwithstanding anything contained in Part B, sections I and II
the overtaking vessel should keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken

Question 20

Overview of Rule 14

Answer 20

Rule 14 deals with head-on situations

Question 21

Overview of Rule 15

Answer 21

Crossing situations are covered by Rule 15

Question 22

Overview of Rule 16

Answer 22

Action to be taken by the give-way vessel is laid down in Rule 16.

Question 23

Overview of Rule 17

Answer 23

Rule 17 deals with the action of the stand-on vessel, including the provision that the stand-on
vessel may “take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone as soon as it becomes
apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action.

Question 24

Overview of Rule 18

Answer 24

Rule 18 deals with responsibilities between vessels and includes requirements for vessels
which shall keep out of the way of others.

Question 25

Overview of Rule 19

Answer 25

Rule 19 states every vessel should proceed at a safe speed adapted to prevailing
circumstances and restricted visibility. A vessel detecting by radar another vessel should
determine if there is risk of collision and if so take avoiding action. A vessel hearing fog
signal of another vessel should reduce speed to a minimum.

Question 26

What is Part B Section I

Answer 26

Section 1 - Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility (Rules 4-10)

Question 27

What is Part B Section II

Answer 27

Section II - Conduct of vessels in sight of one another (Rules 11-18)

Question 28

What is Part B Section III

Answer 28

Section III - conduct of vessels in restricted visibility (Rule 19)

Question 29

Overview of Rule 20

Answer 29

Rule 20 states rules concerning lights apply from sunset to sunrise.

Question 30

Overview of Rule 21

Answer 30

Rule 21 gives definitions

Question 31

Overview of Rule 22

Answer 31

Rule 22 covers visibility of lights - indicating that lights should be visible at minimum ranges
(in nautical miles) determined according to the type of vessel.

Question 32

Overview of Rule 23

Answer 32

Rule 23 covers lights to be carried by power-driven vessels underway

Question 33

Overview of Rule 24

Answer 33

Rule 24 covers lights for vessels towing and pushing.

Question 34

Overview of Rule 25

Answer 34

Rule 25 covers light requirements for sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars.

Question 35

Overview of Rule 26
(a) ?

Answer 35

Rule 26 ( twenty Six Fish) covers light requirements for fishing vessels.

(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and
shapes prescribed in this Rule.

Question 36

Overview of Rule 27

Answer 36

Rule 27 covers light requirements for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability
to manoeuvre.

Question 37

Overview of Rule 28

Answer 37

Rule 28 covers light requirements for vessels constrained by their draught.

Question 38

Overview of Rule 29

Answer 38

Rule 29 covers light requirements for pilot vessels.

Question 39

Overview of Rule 30

Answer 39

Rule 30 covers light requirements for vessels anchored and aground.

Question 40

Overview of Rule 31

Answer 40

Rule 31 covers light requirements for seaplanes.

Question 41

Overview of Rule 32

Answer 41

Definitions for Section D 32-37 Sound and Light Signals
Rule 32 gives definitions of whistle, short blast, and prolonged blast.

Question 42

Overview of Rule 33

Answer 42

Equipment for sound signaling
Rule 33 says vessels 12 metres or more in length should carry a whistle and a bell and vessels
100 metres or more in length should carry in addition a gong.

Question 43

Overview of Rule 34

Answer 43

Rule 34 covers manoeuvring and warning signals, using whistles or lights.

Question 44

Overview of Rule 35

Answer 44

Rule 35 covers sound signals to be used in restricted visibility

Question 45

Overview of Rule 36

Answer 45

Rule 36 covers signals to be used to attract attention

Question 46

Overview of Rule 37

Answer 46

Rule 37 covers distress signals.

Question 47

Overview of Rule 38

Answer 47

Exemptions
Rule 38 says ships which comply with the 1960 Collision Regulations and were built or already under construction when the 1972 Collision Regulations entered into force may be exempted from some requirements for light and sound signals for specified periods.
(the only rule of Section E-Exemptions)

Question 48

Overview of Rule 39

Answer 48

Rule 39 provides definitions. for section F - Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention

Question 49

Overview of Rule 40

Answer 49

Rule 40 says that Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention.

Question 50

Overview of Rule 41

Answer 50

Rule 41 on Verification of compliance says that every Contracting Party is subject to periodic audits by IMO.