INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA

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INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA
2009
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Collision Regulations
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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.

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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.

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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 peoples night vision.

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Extra Care at Night

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

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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

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Section I - Rules 4 to10

• Conduct of Vessels in Any Type of Visibility

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Rule 5 - Lookout

• You must keep a good lookout with eyes and ears
  at all times.
• This includes poor visibility and nighttime.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Rule 9 - Narrow Channels

• In narrow channels, all vessels should keep to
  the starboard side of the channel.

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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.

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Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes
Good courses in or near separation schemes
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Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes
Bad courses in or near separation schemes
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Section II - Rules 11 to 18

• Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another

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Collision Regulations

• Section 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

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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.

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Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels

• 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.

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Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Rules 13-15 Vessels in Sight andin Risk of
Collision (Review)
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Rule 16 Give-way Vessel

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Operating rule

• Port 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.
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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.

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Section III - Rule 19

• Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

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Rule 19 Restricted Visibility

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

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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.

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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

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Part C - Lights and Shapes
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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.

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Navigation Lights

• 1. Masthead light
• 2. Port side light
• 3. Starboard side light
• 4. Stern light
• 5. Towing light

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Navigation Shapes

• Vessels towing, and also on the tow
• Deep draft vessels
• Vessel under sails but using machinery to propel
• Vessels at anchor

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Navigation Shapes

• All fishing vessels
• In addition in the direction of her gear or nets

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Navigation Shapes

• Vessel not under command
• Vessel engaged
• in mine clearance

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Navigation Shapes

• Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre
• Safe side to pass
• Side with obstruction

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Navigation Shapes

• Vessel aground

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Navigation Shapes

• Vessel operating divers

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Part D - Sound and Light Signals

• 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

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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

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Rule 32 - Definitions

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

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Rule 33 - Equipment for Sound Signals

• Vessels lt 100m in length whistle and bell
• Vessels gt 100m in length whistle, bell, and
  gong
• Vessels lt 12m in length some type of sound
  signaling device

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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.

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Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and Warning Signals

• Five short blasts
• Officially - I am unsure of your intentions
• Practically - you are not following the rules
• or wake up you idiot.

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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.

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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.

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Rule 34 Manoeuvring and Warning Signals - Meeting

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

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Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and Warning Signals

• Vessel shall sound one long blast when coming to
  blind turn
• BC Ferry in Active Pass

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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)

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Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

• Vessel not under command, restricted in ability
  to manoeuvre, sailing, fishing or towing (D)
• Last vessel of a tow (B)

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Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

• Pilot vessel on duty (H)

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Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

• 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)

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Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

• 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.

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Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

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

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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.

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Rule 37 - Distress Signals
MAYDAY
Two tone alarm
VHF-DSC
. . . _ _ _ . . . (SOS)