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 peoples 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.
 Rule 10 - Traffic Separation
Schemes
Good courses in or near separation
schemes
 Rule 10 - Traffic Separation
Schemes
Bad courses in or near separation
schemes
Section II - Rules 11 to 18
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another
 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
 Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels
Wind on different sides Wind
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. A B
 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.
 Rule 12 - Sailing Wind
Vessels
B
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. A
B keeps clear of 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
B

A
 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.
B

A
Rules 13-15: Vessels in Sight and
in Risk of Collision (Review)
HEAD ON OVERTAKING CROSSING
Description Meeting on Overtaking Two vessels
reciprocal another vessel crossing, risk of
courses, more than 22.5 collision exists.
masthead lights in abaft the beam, at
line, both night only the
sidelights visible. sternlight visible.

Action Both vessels turn Overtaking vessel The vessel which

to starboard to keeps out of the holds the other
pass port-to-port. way on the on her starboard
overtaken vessel. 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: Responsibilities
Between 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 rule
Port: If a Starboard:
power-driven If any vessel
vessel approaches
approaches within this
sector, keep
within this sector out of its way.
maintain your (Note: This
course and rule may not
speed with always apply if
caution. one or both
Stern: If any vessel vessels are
approaches this sector, sailboats.)
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 19
Conduct 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
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
 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.
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.
 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.
 Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and
Warning Signals
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)
 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)

 Rule 35 - Sound Signals in
Restricted Visibility
Pilot vessel on duty (H)
 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)

 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.
 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.
 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
VHF-DSC MAYDAY Two tone alarm

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