Rule 5
Part B - Section I - Any Condition of Visibility
Proper 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 risk of collision.
Rule 6
Section I - Any Condition of Visibility
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 taken into account:
- The state of visibility
- The traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels
- The manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions
- At night, the presence of background lights such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights
- The state of wind, sea and current, and proximity of navigational hazards
- The draft in relation to the available depths of water
Additionally, vessels with operational radar:
- The characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment
- The constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use
- The effects on radar detection of sea state, weather and other sources of interference
- The possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects will not be detected by radar at an adequate range
- The number, location and movement of vessels detected by radar
- The more exact assessment of visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity
Rule 14
Section II - Vessels in Sight of one Another
Head-On Situation
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 each other.
Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees another ahead, or nearly ahead and by night she would see the masthead lights of the other vessel in a line or nearly in line and or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
When a vessel is in any doubt as to weather such a situation exists, then she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.
Rule 15
Section II - Vessels in Sight of one Another
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 the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
Rule 7
Section I - Any Condition of Visibility
Risk of Collision
Every vessels 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.
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.
Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.
In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken into account.
- Such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change;
- Such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or a vessel at close range
Rule 9
Section I - Any Condition of Visibility
Narrow Channels
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.
A vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.
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 sound 5 short blasts if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
Rule 13
Section II - Vessels in Sight of One Another
Overtaking
Notwithstanding anything contained in the rules of Part B, Sections I&II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her 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.
When a vessel is in any doubt as to if she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.
Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between 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 passed and clear.
Rule 16
Section II - Vessels in Sight of on Another
Action by Give Way Vessel
Any 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.
Rule 8
Section I - Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
Action to Avoid Collision
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.
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 the other vessel observing visually or by radar; successions of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.
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.
Any 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 passed and clear.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 17
Section II - Vessels in Sight of One Another
Action by Stand-On Vessel
- Where one of two vessels is instructed to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.
- The latter vessel however, may 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 compliance with these rules
Then the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that a 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.
A power driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with the above paragraph, shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.
This rule does not relive the give way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.
