PART B - Steering and Sailing Rules - Section 2 Flashcards
Rule 11 - Application
Section II - Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rules in this section apply to vessels in sight of one another.
Rule 12: Sailing vessels
(a) when two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:
(i) when each of them has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other;
(ii) When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward;
(iii) if the vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or the starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.
(b) For the purposes of this Rule, the windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposite that on which the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.
Rule13 Overtaking
a. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of part B, sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
Meaning: It does not make a difference whether any ship ahead of the own vessel has permitted by signalling that overtaking may take place. As far as the Rules are concerned especially Rule 13, the overtaking vessel is duty bound to keep clear.
b. A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft the beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the stern light of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.
Meaning: This part determines whether or not a vessel would be deemed to be overtaking or not.
In general overtaking is a clear cut understanding, however, in certain circumstances, it becomes difficult to judge whether a ship is overtaking or not. So this Part clarifies what is overtaking.
c. When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.
Meaning: Again the same instruction - when in any doubt whether a vessel is overtaking or not, it is accepted that the vessel is overtaking.
d. Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.
Meaning: A vessel which has overtaken another, but is not very clear of the overtaken vessel, cannot alter her course and cross the bows of the other vessel claiming to be a crossing vessel.
If a vessel has overtaken then the other vessel would have to be left absolutely clear and then only the overtaking vessel’s responsibility ends.
Rule 14: Head on situation
a. When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
Meaning: It is a clear instruction when the vessels are head on perfectly, the thing to remember is that when the vessels are nearly on reciprocal courses, then to the vessels are asked to alter course to starboard. A nearly reciprocal course would deem that the vessels would be passing very close to each other, and the situation can become a close quarter situation when the ships are quite close.
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b. Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
Meaning: The Rule is very clear about the sightings and has explained what is to be termed as Head On, a number of cases have come about when this basic Rule is forgotten and the watch keeper relies on the ARPA to give him the CPA. The Radar and the ARPA are assistances for the watch keeper and do not replace the Rule instructions.
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c. When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.
Meaning: Again the same word ‘Doubt’. So even if the CPA as per the ARPA is marginal but a positive figure, the determination of Head On would still be by this Rule of sighting.
Rule 15: Crossing situation
When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit avoid, crossing ahead of the other vessel.
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Meaning: This situation would frequently arise and it is always better to avoid a close quarter situation and go right around the stern of the other vessel rather than cross ahead of the other vessel. Of course going around the stern may not be practical at all times but if the situation permits then it should be followed if the crossing would result in a small CPA.
Rule 16: Action by give-way vessel
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
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Meaning: Give way vessels should take action well in time, estimate the speed of approach between the two vessels, estimate the approximate time interval and then take action, do not take a late action, since this would make the stand on vessel apprehensive and she may then take an action which would be detrimental to both vessels.
Rule 17: Action by stand-on vessel
(a)(i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way of the other shall keep her course and speed.
Meaning: As long as the give way vessel takes an action well in time there is no problem and the stand on vessel follows the above Rule, and the stand on vessel is required not to take action, but it does not mean that she would not be alert and monitor the situation.
(ii) The latter vessel may however 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 in accordance with these Rules.
Meaning: The watch-keeper on the stand on vessel has to be alert and should have been monitoring the situation as it developed. His plan of action for evasive action should be ready at all instances since he would have to take evasive action if the give way vessel fails to take action or if the action is not sufficient to clear the impending danger.
(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.
Meaning: The action that the stand on vessel finally takes to avoid the situation depends on what is the nature of the action of the give-way vessel, if the action is insufficient to clear the close quarter situation than the stand on vessel has to take action which will get the two ships safely away from each other.
THE BASIC FACT OF THESE RULES ARE THAT ALTHOUGH THE STAND ON VESSEL NEED NOT TAKE ACTION INITIALLY, SHE MUST, REPEAT MUST CLOSELY MONITOR THE OTHER SHIP AND PLAN OUT ACTIONS AT EVERY STEP.
c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.
Meaning: The action that the stand on vessel takes should not develop into a catastrophe, rather it should enhance the clearing action. However the advice is not to alter course to Port for a give way vessel which is on her port side. But it is a recommendation and if the situation demands please refer to Rule 2 and take a well-planned decision which may deviate from the above Rule.
(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.
Meaning: Just because the stand on the vessel has been forced to take action does not mean that the give way vessel has passed the buck to the stand on vessel. She is still obliged as per the Rules to keep out of the way.
Rule 18: Responsibilities between vessels
Except where rule 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require: (a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel;
Understanding, and complying with the Rules, the above are to be committed to memory and applied when meeting any of the named types of vessels.Except if the situation is within a TSS or a narrow channel or if an overtaking situationarises. Then the Rules named above would take precedence if they so require.
(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
(d)
(i)Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.
Understanding, and complying with the Rules, the above are to be committed to memory and applied when meeting this type of vessels.Except if the situation is within a TSS or a narrow channel or if an overtaking situation arises. Then the Rules named above would take precedence if they so require.For example, in a TSS or a Narrow channel if a vessel cannot permit an overtaking by a Deep drafted vessel then although she is in way impeding the passage but as per that particular Rule she is within complying with the Rules.
(ii) A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.
Meaning: The deep drafted vessel should not take undue advantage of her condition and impose on other vessels to give way to her. She should navigate with full alertness and with regard to her draft. She should be within the safe speed and be able to be stopped or slowed down to avoid risky situations.
(e) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.Meaning: Since a seaplane being not very maneuverable, may cause undue uncertainty for other vessels she has to keep clear, if however, a risk exists then she has to behave as a vessel and take action as per the Rules.
(f)
(i) A WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation;
(ii) a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Part as a power-driven vessel.
