Colregs PART B - Steering and Sailing Rules. Section I Conduct of Vessel in all states Visibility (Rules 4 - 10) Flashcards
Section I
RULE 4
Rule 4
Application
Rules in this Section apply in any condition of visibility.
RULE 5
”Look-out”
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.
RULE 6
”Safe speed”
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action
to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances
and conditions.
In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:
(a) 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 maneuverability 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 back scatter
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.
(b) Additionally, by vessels with operational radar: Charlie Carr Eats Pies No More
(i) the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment;
(ii) any 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.
RULE 7
”Risk of collision”
(a) 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 such risk shall be deemed
to exist.
(b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range
scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic
observation of detected objects.
(c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar
information.
(d) In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken
into account:
-(i) such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does
not appreciably change;
-(ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident,
particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel
at close range.
RULE 8
”Action to avoid collision”
(a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and
shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard
to the observance of good seamanship.
(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case
admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a
succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.
(c) If there is sufficient sea-room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid
a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result
in another close-quarters situation.
(d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe
distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally
past and clear.
(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her
speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.
(f)
(i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe
passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early
action to allow sufficient sea-room for the safe passage of the other vessel.
(ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel is not
relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of collision
and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the
Rules of this Part.
(iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded remains fully obliged to comply with
the Rules of this Part when the two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve
risk of collision.
RULE 9
”Narrow channels”
(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the
outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel
which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a
narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not 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. The latter vessel may use
the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) (5 short rapid blasts) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(e)
(i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only if the vessel to be
overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall
indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). The
vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in
Rule 34(c)(ii) (one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, one short) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals
prescribed in Rule 34(d).
(ii) This Rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be
obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and
shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e). (one prolonged)
(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
RULE 10
”Traffic separation schemes”
(a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization and does not relieve
any vessel of her obligation under any other Rule.
(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
(i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;
(ii) so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone;
(iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or
leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic
flow as practicable.
(c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross
on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.
(d)
(i) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate
traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20
metres in length, _sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing_may use the inshore
traffic zone.
(ii) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (d) (i), a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en
route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place
situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger._
(e) A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter
a separation zone or cross a separation line except:
(i) in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger;
(ii) to engage in fishing within a separation zone.
(f) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with
particular caution.
(g) A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near
its terminations.
(h) A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.
(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.
(j) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a
power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.
(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the maintenance
of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule
to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
(l) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the laying,
servicing or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from
complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
