COLLISION

REGULATION
 COLLISION REGULATIONS

CONVENTION ON THE REGULATION FOR PREVENTING

COLLITION AT SEA 1972 (COLREGs)

Adoption : 20 October 1972

Entry into force : 15 July 1977

 COLLISION REGULATIONS

Introduction

The 1972 Convention was designed to update replace the

collision Regulation of 1960 witch were adopted at the same
time as the 1960 SOLAS convention
 COLLISION REGULATIONS
Amendment procedure

Under the “tacit acceptance “ procedure incorporated in the

convention , an amendment must first be adopted by tow-
thirds of those present and voting in the maritime safety
committee. It is then communicated to contracting parties and
considered by the IMO Assembly .
 COLLISION REGULATIONS
Technical provisions
The COLREGS include 38 rules divided into five sections : Par
A; Part B – Steering and Sailing ; Part C – Light and Shapes ;
Part D – sound and light Signals and Part E – Exemptions
there are also four Annexes containing technical
requirements concerning light shapes and their positioning ;
sound signal appliances ; additional signals for fishing vessels
when operating in close proximity and international distress
signal
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 1 : APPLICATION
(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high
seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by
seagoing vessels.

(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the

operation of special rules made by an appropriate
authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland
waterways connected with the high seas and navigable
by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as
closely as possible to these Rules.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 1 : APPLICATION
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of
any special rules made by the Government of any State with
respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle
signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy,
or with respect to additional station or signal lights or shapes
for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These
additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistles shall, so
far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any
light, shape or signal authorised elsewhere under these Rules.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 1 : APPLICATION

(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by

the Organisation for the purpose of these Rules.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 1 : APPLICATION

(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined

that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot comply
fully with the provision of any of these Rules with respect to the
number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as
well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound- signalling
appliances, such vessel shall comply with such other provisions
in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of
lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics
of sound-signalling appliances, as her Government shall have
determined to be the closest possible compliance with these
Rules in respect of that vessel.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 1 : APPLICATION
NOTE:
A. The International Convention (COLREGS) apply on all ocean
connected navigable water
B. in spite (a) , special rules may apply to harbors , rivers, and canals
C. vessel fishing in a fleet and warships may use special lights ,
shapes , and sound signals as long as they cannot be confused with
those in the Rules
D. Vessels of unusual construction or use may deviate in the
characteristics of light and sound signaling device , as long as they
comply as closely as possible .
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 2 : RESPONSIBILTY

(a) 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
or of the neglect of any precautions which may be
required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the
special circumstances of the case.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 2 : RESPONSIBILTY

(b) 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.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context

otherwise requires:
(a) The word "vessel" includes every description of water craft,
including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used
or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(b) The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled
by machinery.
(c) The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail
provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

(d) The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any

vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing
apparatus which restricts manoeuvrability, but does not
include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing
apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.

(e) The term "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to

manoeuvre on the water.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

(f) The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which
through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as
required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the
way of another vessel.
 
(g) The term "vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre" means a
vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability
to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to
keep out of the way of another vessel. The term "vessels restricted
in their ability to manoeuvre" shall include but not be limited to:
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark,

submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or
cargo while underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in launching or recovery of aircraft;
(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the
towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

(h) The term "vessel constrained by her draught" means a power-

driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to
available depth and width of navigable water, is severely
restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.
(i) The word "underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or
made fast to the shore, or aground.
(j) The words "length" and "breadth" of a vessel mean her length
overall and greatest breadth.
 PART- A GERNERAL
RULE 3 : GENERAL DEFINITIONS

(k) Vessel shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only

when one can be observed visually from the other.
(l) The term "restricted visibility" means any condition in which
visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms,
sandstorms or any other similar causes.
(m) The term "Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft" means a multimodal
craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity
to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.
 
SELF ASSESMET
PART A- GENERAL