Week 3

Instructor’s Guide
Subject: COLREGS
Topic: Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules
3.1 Section 1 (Rules 4 to 8 )

LOs: At the end of the session the student

should be able to :

3.1 Explain how lookout is properly observed for collision avoidance.

3.2 Explain safe speed and the factors affecting it.
3.3 Determine whether the risk of collision occurs based on visual observation.
3.4 Explain the actions to be taken when a risk of collision exists.
 RULE 4 - APPLICATION

Rules in this section apply in any condition of visibility .

 RULE 5 – LOOK OUT

RULE 5 – 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 of the risk of collision.
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 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

RULE 6 - 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.
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

In determining a safe speed the

following factors shall be among
those taken into account:

(a). By all vessels:

(i). the state of visibility;
(ii). the traffic density including
concentrations of fishing vessels or
any other vessels;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

iii). the maneuverability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and
turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(iv). at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or
from back scatter of her own lights;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(v). the state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational
hazards;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(vi). the draught in relation

to the available depth of
water.
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(b). Additionally, by vessels with operational radar:

 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(ii). any constraints imposed by

the radar range scale in use;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(iii). the effect on radar detection of the sea state,

weather, and other sources of interference;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(iv). the possibility that small vessels, ice, and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an
adequate range;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(v). the number, location, and

movement of vessels detected
by radar;
 RULE 6 - SAFE SPEED

(vi). the more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when the
radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-06-Safe-Speed.pdf
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-06-Safe-Speed.pdf
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-06-Safe-Speed.pdf
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-06-Safe-Speed.pdf
 RULE 7 – RISK OF COLLISION

RULE 7 – RISK OF COLLISION

a). Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions to determine
if the risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be
deemed to exist.

(b). Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and

operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of the
risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation
of detected objects

(c). Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty

information, especially scanty radar information.
 RULE 7 – RISK OF COLLISION

d). In determining if the risk of collision exists the following considerations

shall be among those taken into account:

(i). such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an

approaching vessel does not appreciably change;

ii). such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing
change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel
or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.
 RULE 7 – RISK OF COLLISION

How “Bearing Drift” Shows Risk of Collision

RISK OF NO RISK OF COLLISION NO RISK OF COLLISION

COLLISION DECREASING BEARING INCREASING BEARING
PASSING AHEAD PASSING ASTERN
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-07-Risk-of-Collision.pdf
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-07-Risk-of-Collision.pdf
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https://officerofthewatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Colregs-Rule-07-Risk-of-Collision.pdf
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

Rule 8 – Action To Avoid Collision

(a). Any action 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.

(b). 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
another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small
alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(c). If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most
effective action to avoid a close-quarters
The situation provided that it is made in good time is substantial and does not result
in another close-quarters situation.

A close-quarter situation
means a situation in which
vessels are dangerously
approaching each other and
the action of one vessel alone
may not be enough to avoid
the Risk of collision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckp7eKWOLp4
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(d). 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.

(e). If necessary to avoid the 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.
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(f)

(i). 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

(ii) 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.
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(iii) 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.
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Thank you!