Safety - COLREGS

Know the Collision Regulations

Rule 9 (b) - A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel, which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

Rule 9 (d) - 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 use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intentions of the crossing vessel.

Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes

Rule 10(b) - A vessel using a Traffic Separation Scheme shall: (i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane; (iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at a small an angle to the general direction of flow as practicable.

Rule 10(c) - A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

Rule 10(j) - A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

Rule 18(b)(ii) - A sailing vessel under way shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Rule 18(d)(i) - Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.

Rule 19 - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

Rule 19(a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

Rule 19(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre.

Rule 19(c) Every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the Rules of Section I of this Part.

Rule 19(d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided:

Rule 19(d)(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;

Rule 19(d)(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.

Rule 19(e) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.

With particular reference to the conduct of vessels (including pleasure craft) in restricted visibility, the MCA have released guidance in the form of MGN 369 Navigation In Restricted Visibility which can be accessed here.