international regulations for preventing collision at sea 2009

INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR

PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA

2009

Collision Regulations

General Points

• Every vessel has a responsibility to avoid collisions.• If every vessel follows the rules, there cannot be a

collision.• Even if these rules require another vessel to keep out

of your way, you must be ready to take action yourself.

• If you are in a collision, you will always be partly to blame.

General Points

• All actions must be clear, in good time, and large enough so other vessels will understand your intentions.

• Generally alterations of course are more obvious than alterations of speed, but never hesitate to slow down to give yourself thinking time or more room.

Night Vision

• At night keep lighting within your own vessel to a minimum; it preserves your night vision.

• Only use spotlights where it is vital to pick up an unlit object (mooring buoys for instance).

• Respect other people’s night vision.

Extra Care at Night

• Many navigation aids are unlit, and there are many other potential hazards, so keep your speed down.

RCM-SAR Requirements

• The RCM-SAR requires that at all times:

1. radar, if available, is to be in use, unless alongside another vessel

2. appropriate navigation lights are displayed

3. If in doubt stop, assess, plan

Section I - Rules 4 to10

Conduct of Vessels in Any Type of Visibility

Rule 5 - Lookout

• You must keep a good lookout with eyes and ears at all times.

• This includes poor visibility and nighttime.

Rule 6 - Safe Speed• You should travel at a speed that gives you adequate

time to assess and plan the manoeuvre to avoid collision.

• Some of the factors that might cause you to slow down are:– visibility, – volume of traffic, – background lighting, – water depth

Rule 7 - Risk of Collision

• Frequently assess all the vessels in the vicinity of your vessel to see if they are likely to come close.

• If the compass bearing of another vessel does not change much, i.e. is steady, you are on, or nearly on, a collision course.

• A bearing (true or compass) is the ONLY way to assess risk of collision.

Rule 8 - Action to Avoid Collision• Any action you now take, must comply with these

rules, and must be obvious to the other vessel, and result in the two vessels passing well clear of each other.

Rule 9 - Narrow Channels• In narrow channels, all vessels should keep to the

starboard side of the channel.

Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes

• Traffic shall follow the traffic separation scheme where one is designated.• Where you are outside it, you should avoid it.• If you have to cross it you have to cross it as near right angles as possible.• A vessel less than 20 metres in length shall not impede a ship in a separation scheme.


Good courses in or near separation schemes


Bad courses in or near separation schemes

Section II - Rules 11 to 18

Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another

Collision RegulationsSection II - Conduct of vessels in sight of one

another• Rule 11 Application• Rule 12 Sailing Vessels• Rule 13 Overtaking• Rule 14 Head-on• Rule 15 Crossing Situations• Rule 16 Action by the Give-way Vessel• Rule 17 Action by the Stand-on Vessel• Rule 18 Responsibilities Between Vessels

Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels

Wind on different sides• When sailing vessels

have the wind on different sides, the vessel that has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.– A keeps clear of B.

Wind

A B


If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other sailing vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, it shall keep out of the way.


Wind on the same sides• When both sailing

vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is the closest to the wind (windward) shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.

– B keeps clear of A.

Wind

B

A

Rule 13 - Overtaking• This rule overrides all the other give-way rules.

– The overtaking vessel (even if sailing) must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

– You can pass on either side of the vessel, but keep well clear – the other vessel may not have seen you.

– If you are being overtaken, hold your course and speed until the other vessel is past and well clear.

Rule 14 - Head on

• Both vessels must alter course to starboard.• If the other vessel turns the wrong way, you should turn

even more to starboard, slow down, or stop your vessel.

Rule 15 - Crossing Situation

• If the other vessel is on your starboard side it has right of way and you must keep clear: you must either turn to starboard, slow down to let the other vessel pass ahead of you – or do both.

• A gives way to B

A

B

Rule 15 - Crossing Situation

• If the other vessel is on your port side, you have right of way and should hold your course and speed. However, if you think the other vessel is leaving it too late, you have to take action yourself. The “right rule” still applies: if you alter course, alter to starboard. Or you can slow down, or do both.

A

B

Rules 13-15: Vessels in Sight andin Risk of Collision (Review)

HEAD ON OVERTAKING CROSSING

Description Meeting on reciprocal courses, masthead lights in line, both sidelights visible.

Overtaking another vessel more than 22.5 abaft the beam, at night only the sternlight visible.

Two vessels crossing, risk of collision exists.

Action Both vessels turn to starboard to pass port-to-port.

Overtaking vessel keeps out of the way on the overtaken vessel.

The vessel which holds the other on her starboard must keep out of the way of the stand-on vessel.

Rule 16: Give-way Vessel

• Take early and substantial action to stay out of the way of the stand-on vessel.

Rule 17: Stand-on Vessel

• Maintain course and speed.• Sound 5 short rapid blasts.• Take action if the give-way is not taking substantial

action to avoid collision.• If risk of collision exists and if circumstances allow,

avoid altering course to port.• If collision is imminent, any action that will avoid

collision or mitigate it, is permitted.

Rule 18: ResponsibilitiesBetween Vessels

Vessels in order of priority• Vessel not under command• Restricted in ability to maneuver• Vessel constrained by draft• Vessel engaged in fishing• Sailing vessels• Power driven vessels• Seaplanes

Rule 18 - Power meets sail

• In general, power vessels have to keep out of the way of sailing and fishing vessels, and vessels that are hampered by such tasks as dredging, cable laying and so on.

Operating rulePort: If a power-driven vessel approaches within this sector maintain your course and speed with caution.

Starboard: If any vessel approaches within this sector, keep out of its way. (Note: This rule may not always apply if one or both vessels are sailboats.)

Stern: If any vessel approaches this sector, maintain your course and speed with caution.

The RIGHT rule

The RIGHT rule is:

– look to the right;– give way to the right;– turn to the right; and – stay to the right.

Section III - Rule 19Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

Rule 19: Restricted Visibility

• This rule applies when navigating in or NEAR an area of restricted visibility.

Rule 19 - Restricted Visibility

• Restricted visibility any condition that reduces visibility, and includes fog, heavy rain, snow, hail, sandstorms, etc.

• Fog is common on the coast of British Columbia. A good lookout becomes even more vital.

• Slow down and be ready to stop if you sight another vessel or hear a fog signal.

Rule 19: Restricted Visibility

• For fog signals heard forward of the beam, reduce speed to minimum steerageway and navigate cautiously.

• Actions to take on hearing a fog signal forward of the beam can shown as:

Part C - Lights and Shapes

Navigation Lights• Vessels that operate from sunset to sunrise, whether at anchor or

underway, must carry and exhibit the correct lights. • A vessel is underway when not anchored, moored to the shore or

aground.• Navigation lights must also be displayed during daylight hours in

periods of restricted visibility. • All vessels must comply with the regulations concerning lighting.

Navigation Lights

1. Masthead light

2. Port side light

3. Starboard side light

4. Stern light

5. Towing light

Navigation Shapes• Vessels towing, and also on the tow

• Deep draft vessels

• Vessel under sails but using machinery to propel

• Vessels at anchor

Navigation Shapes• All fishing vessels

In addition in the direction of her gear or nets

Navigation Shapes

• Vessel not under command

• Vessel engaged in mine clearance

Navigation Shapes

• Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre

Safe side to pass

Side with obstruction

Navigation Shapes

• Vessel aground

Navigation Shapes

• Vessel operating divers

– Rule 32 - Definitions– Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and Warning Signals– Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility– Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention– Rule 37 - Distress Signals– Annexes I -V

Part D - Sound and Light Signals

Rule 32 - Definitions

• Sound signals for signals of action

• Signals are sounded upon rudder order

• Exchanged by any vessel in proximity to another vessel

• Exchanged if vessels are “in sight” and manoeuvring is required

Rule 32 - Definitions

• Short Blast- about one second duration• Long Blast - 4-6 second duration

Rule 33 - Equipment for Sound Signals

• Vessels < 100m in length: whistle and bell• Vessels >= 100m in length: whistle, bell, and gong• Vessels < 12m in length: some type of sound signaling

device

Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and Warning Signals

• Sound signals can be used by any vessel to indicate an action they are about to take:

– One short blast: I am altering course to starboard.

– Two short blasts: I am altering course to port.– Three short blasts: My engines are going astern.


– Five short blasts: – Officially - I am unsure of your intentions;– Practically - you are not following the rules;– or “wake up you ***** idiot”.

Rule 34: Manoeuvring and Warning Signals - Overtaking

An overtaking situation exists when a vessel approaches another vessel more than 22.5o abaft the beam of the overtaken vessel.

Rule 34: Manoeuvring and Warning Signals- Crossing

At night, the stand-on vessel sees the green sidelight of the give-way vessel, and the give-way vessel sees the red sidelight of the stand-on vessel.

Rule 34: Manoeuvring and Warning Signals - Meeting

A meeting situation exists if two power vessels approach on reciprocal or near reciprocal courses.


• Vessel shall sound one long blast when coming to blind turn

BC Ferry in Active Pass

Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

• Power driven vessel underway and making way (T)

• Power driven vessel underway and not making way (stopped in the water) (M)


• Vessel not under command, restricted in ability to manoeuvre, sailing, fishing or towing (D)

• Last vessel of a tow (B)


• Pilot vessel on duty (H)


• Vessels at anchor, including vessel working at anchor

Bell ringing for 5 second.

• If more than 100 metres

Bell ringing for 5 seconds forward then gong sounded for 5 seconds aft.

• In addition may sound (R)


• Vessels aground

Bell - Bell- Bell -Bell ringing for 5 seconds - Bell - Bell - Bell.

• Vessel aground if more than 100 metres

Bell - Bell- Bell -Bell ringing for 5 seconds - Bell - Bell - Bell, then gong sounded for 5 seconds aft.


• Vessels less than 12 metres in length shall make an efficient sound signal at least every 2 minutes.

Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention

• If a vessel needs to attract the attention of another vessel she may use a searchlight to show direction of a danger.

• However any signal must be such as not to be confused with a navigational aid, so flashing lights or strobes are not to be used.

Rule 37 - Distress Signals

. . . _ _ _ . . . (SOS)

MAYDAY Two tone alarmVHF-DSC

international regulations for preventing collision at sea 2009

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