Rule 3: General Definitions Flashcards
Rule 3: General Definitions
For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:
(a) The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft,
including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(b) The term “power driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail
provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
(d) The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel
fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which
restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing
with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict
manoeuvrability.
(e) The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to
manoeuvre on the water.
(f) The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which 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.
(g) The term “vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre” means 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. The term “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 navigational 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 mineclearance 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.
(h) The term “vessel constrained by her draft” means a power driven vessel which, because of her draft 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.
(i) The word “underway” means a vessel is not at anchor, or
made fast to the shore, or aground.
(j) The words “length” and “breadth” of a vessel mean her length overall and greatest breadth.
(k) Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only
when one can be observed visually from the other.
(l) The term “restricted visibility” means any condition in which
visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
(m) The term ‘Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilising surface-effect action.
