TOPIC ONE 1. General Rules

Question 1

Where do COLREGS Apply…

Answer 1

High seas & All water connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels

Question 2

Give definitions for Vessel, Fishing Vessel, NUC, & RAM

Answer 2

Vessel Any watercraft capable of being used as means of transportation on warer. Fishing Vessel Fishing with nets, lines, trawling that restricts manuvrability. NUC Due to exceptional circumstance unable to maneuver and follow rules RAM Due to Nature of work is restricted to maneuver as required 1. NAV Mark, Sub Cable or pipeline 2. Drege, Survey or Subsea operations 3. Transfering Personal, provisions, or Cargo Underway 4. Launch or recovery of Aircraft 5. Mine Clearance 6. Towing that RAM

Question 3

When can you make an departure from COLREGS?

Answer 3

Short Answer is only to avoid immediate danger “In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. “ Explanation The first part of rule 2 warns us about the consequences of not following COLREGS however the second part of the same rule allow us to “make a departure from” the rules however it is also made clear that this is only to avoid “immediate danger”. Even in situations of immediate danger, it is not to say that we always have to take action contrary to what is expected as per COLREGS. If blindly following the rules under these circumstances it would have to make a situation worse therefore a different action can be taken to ensure the safety for all vessels involved in a ROC it is allowed under Rule 2b “….which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger” Explanation The departure from the rules is allowed only for a brief period to avoid the immediate danger. As soon as that danger is clear, you must come back to the COLREGS compliance immediately.

Question 4

What is considered special circumstances as mentioned in R2b?

Answer 4

“In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision…” Explanation We need to take into account the dangers of navigation such as fishing traffic on one side or shallow patch area on one side. After considering these dangers, if it is necessary to make a departure from the COLREGS, we can proceed. “…and to any special circumstances including the limitations of the vessels involved” Explanation In deciding if the departure from the rules is necessary, we need to take into account the limitations of all vessels involved in a ROC and must be sure that a departure would be the best possible way to avoid immediate danger.

Question 5

How is a vessel, shipowner, master and crew held responsible according to Rule 2a?

Answer 5

“Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules” Explanation This rule makes it clear that the responsibility to know and follow the rules involves the vessel, the shipowner, the master and the crew of the ship. It is therefore the responsibility of the master and the owners to create an environment of compliance with the rule of the road. There is no way to escape this responsibility. The word “Exonerate” means “to absolve someone from a blame for a fault” so rule 2 expects us to know and follow the rules but if by doing so the vessel ends up in a collision the rules can’t be used as an excuse for the collision. “or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.” Explanation We need to follow COLREGS and there is no doubt about it but while doing so we also need to take “precautions” as required by the “ordinary practice of seaman” Instead of trying to define each and every collision situation, only essential situations are covered within COLREGS, seafarers are expected to use their own common sense when they encounter a situation that is not defined by the rules. If following the rules under these circumstances it would make a situation worse, but in doing so must take care that non-compliance with COLREGS may only be used to avoid immediate danger as covered in Rule 2b. In other words, we may use the ordinary practice of seaman whilst still complying with COLREGS.

Question 6

How do you conduct a proper lookout according to COLREGS

Answer 6

1. Shall be maintained at all times by sight, hearing as well as All available means
2. Must be appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions to make an full appraisal of every situation
3. And must identify if there is a ROC

Look out means to see and understand the situation, by sight and hearing as well by other means which may be by Radar or even AIS

( Note AIS is required by SOLAS for vessels > 300GT but is desighned to be used in identifieing vessels and not for collision avoidance purposes as the accuracy of information transmitted cannot always be garranreed)

Appraisal of situation and risk of collision. This should be the ultimate target of the watch keeper to keep a look out. A watch keeper need to look out to find any risk of collision with any vessel. Also the watch keeper should know the present situation he is in. He should also be proactive in assessing the situation he would be in after sometime. For example, he should take into account the general traffic route (such as in TSS) which may have the other ship alter her course much before TCPA.

Question 7

What is a safe speed according to the Rules?

Answer 7

Safe speed is so that a vessel is able to take proper and effective action to avoid collision and can be stopped within a safe distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. The basic fact is that under any circumstance the speed should be such that the vessel is able to take action to avoid danger, this includes manoeuvring to keep out of the way or slowing down or stopping to allow another vessel to pass clearly.

Question 8

What factors needs to be considered by all vessels when determining a safe speed?

Answer 8

1. State Of Visibility 2. Maneuverability ( Stopping Dist & Turning Ability) 3. Traffic Density (Fishing / Vls as fleet) 4. Background Lights (Shore / Back Scatter) 5. Weather & Proximity of Hazards ( Wind,Sea Current) 6. Draught in relation to Depth.

Question 9

What factors needs to be considered by vessels fitted with Radar when determining a safe speed?

Answer 9

1. Characteristics, Efficiency & Limitations 2. Restraints due to Range Scale in Use 3. Interference (Weather, sea or other) 4. Small targets not detectable (ice, floats, wood) 5. No & Movement of vessels detected 6. May be used to determine accurate range

Question 10

How do you determine if a ROC exist?

Answer 10

1. Use all available means apropreate in prevailing circumstances to determine ROC. 2. Use Long range & systematic plotting on Radar to get early warning 3. Don’t make assumptions on scanty radar information 4. If in doubt assume that ROC exist 5. Take note of steady bearings with decreasing ranges. 6. ROC may exist with Large Vessels / Tow at close range

Question 11

What actions do you need to take to avoid collisions?

Answer 11

1. If circumstances admit use “good seamanship” to take early action that will have a “positive” outcome. 2. Alteration of Co. / Speed needs to be large to be readily apparent vissually (change aspect) or by radar. 3. Avoid small alterations of Co. / Speed (Yawing) 4. If Sea-room allows A/c may be most effective. 5. A/c early make it substantial & check for another ROC 6. Continue to check effectiveness until past & clear. 7. To Allow more Time, Slow, Stop or Reverse. 8. Vsl not to impede shall take early action allow sea-room 9. Vsl not to impede in ROC take action as above. 10. Vsl not to be impeded in ROC take action as above.

Question 12

What actions must vessels take in Narrow channels?

Answer 12

1. If safe Keep to Stbd. 2. Vessel <20m, fishing or sailing - Keep clear 3. Do not cross ahead in channel 4. Ask Permission to Overtake Stbd: ( _ _ . ) Port: ( _ _ . . ) Agree: ( _ . _ . ) Disagree: ( . . . . . ) Near Bend ( _ ) 5. Overtaking Follow Rule 13 6. Avoid anchoring in the Channel

Question 13

What actions must vessels take in TSS?

Answer 13

1. Follow Traffic lane, stay clear of separation Zone & Join or exit at terminations.
2. If needed cross at 90º 3. Inshore Zone only en-route, to avoid danger or Vsl <20m, fishing or sailing
3. Avoid Separation Zone, unless to avoid danger or fishing.
4. Navigate with caution near Terminations
5. Avoid Anchoring in or near
6. If not using TSS stay clear 8. Vsl <20m, fishing or sailing 9. RAM exempted whilst working in TSS

Question 14

What is Part F of COLREG and when was it implemented?

Answer 14

This part deal with the verification of compliance which is not directly related to the seafarers. (Part F) was added in the COLREG in January 2016

PART F – VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION

Rule 39 Definitions

(a) Audit means a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.
(b) Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c) Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) adopted by the Organization by resolution A.1070(28). (d) Audit Standard means the Code for Implementation.

Rule 40 Application

Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention.

Rule 41 Verification of compliance

(a) Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention.
(b) The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c) Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(d) Audit of all Contracting Parties shall be:
(i) based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General of the Organization, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization; and
(ii) conducted at periodic intervals, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.

References

Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)).

IMO supplement to the COLREGS