Collision Regulations and Safe Navigation: Rules in Sight and in Restricted Visibility
What this domain tests
Application of COLREG to real encounters, principally Rules 5 to 19, plus Rule 8 action, Rule 10 traffic separation schemes and the steering and sailing signals.
Core rules
- Rule 13: the overtaking vessel keeps out of the way until finally past and clear.
- Rule 14: head-on, both vessels alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
- Rule 15: crossing, the vessel with the other on her own starboard side keeps out of the way.
- Rule 16 and 17: give-way action must be early and substantial; the stand-on vessel holds course and speed but may act as soon as collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone, and in extremis must act.
- Rule 18: the hierarchy of responsibility, power-driven vessels giving way to sailing vessels, vessels not under command and vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre.
- Rule 19, restricted visibility: safe speed, radar watch, avoid altering to port for a vessel forward of the beam, avoid altering towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.
Worked example
Own ship steams 000° at 12 kn. A power-driven vessel bears 045° at 6 nm with a steady bearing. She is on your starboard side, so under Rule 15 you are the give-way vessel. Alter course to starboard with a large, obvious alteration, pass astern of her, and monitor the new bearing and range. Do not alter to port to pass ahead, and do not make a series of small alterations that the other vessel cannot read.
Traps
- Assuming the stand-on vessel has no duty at all.
- Applying Rule 19 port-alteration restrictions while vessels are in sight of one another, when Rules 13 to 18 govern.
- Treating an overtaking sailing vessel as the stand-on vessel.
- Relying on the other vessel to take action and delaying your own.