Colregs notes
Part A - General
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.
(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
whistle signals
shall, so far as
possible, be
such that they
cannot be
mistaken for any
light, shape or
signal
authorised
elsewhere under
these Rules.
(d) Traffic
separation
schemes may be
adopted by the
Organization for
the purpose of
these Rules.
(e) Whenever the
Government
concerned shall
have determined
that a vessel of
any special
construction or
purpose cannot
comply with the
provisions 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.
2.
Responsibility
(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
precaution which
may be required
by the ordinary
practice of
seamen, or by
the special
circumstances of
the case.
(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.
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.
(d) The term
“vessel engaged
in fishing”
means any vessel
fishing with
nets, lines,
trawls or other
fishing
apparatus which
restrict
manoeuvrability,
but does not
include a vessel
fishing with
trolling lines
or other fishing
apparatus which
do not restrict
manoeuvrability.
(e) The word
“seaplane”
includes any
aircraft
designed to
manoeuvre on the
water.
(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:
(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 the
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.
(h) The term
“vessel
constrained by
her draught”
means a
power-driven
vessel which,
because of her
draught in
relation to the
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.
(k) Vessels
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.
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Part B -
Steering and
sailing
Section I (for
any visibility)
4. Application
The rules apply
in any
visibility (e.g.
in sight or in
restricted
visibility).
5. Look-out
Every vessel
must at all
times keep a
proper look-out
by sight (day
shape or lights
by eyes or
visual aids),
hearing (sound
signal or Marine
VHF radio) and
all available
means (e.g.
Radar, ARPA, AIS,
GMDSS...) in
order to judge
if risk of
collision
exists.
6. Safe speed
Any vessel must
proceed at a
safe speed,
which she can to
take action to
avoid collision
and able to stop
within the
distance for the
prevailing
conditions
(including the
visibility,
weather, traffic
condition,
background
lights, her
maneovability
and draft in
relation with
the available
water).
When radar is in
use, also
consider if
there is any
limitions of the
equipment, range
scale in use,
weather and
other
interference,
weak targets,
targets density
and movement,
and use radar to
judge the
visibility is
much accurate
for objects
nearby.
7. Risk of
Collision
Vessels must use
all available
means to
determine the
risk of a
collision,
including the
use of radar (if
available) to
get early
warning of the
risk of
collision by
radar plotting
or equivalent
systematic
observation of
detected
objects. (e.g.
ARPA, AIS).
If the distance
of any vessel is
reduced and her
compass bearing
does not change
much or a large
vessel or towing
vessel at close
distance or if
in doubt, risk
of collision
shall be deemed
to exist.
8. Action to
avoid collision
Actions taken to
avoid collision
should be:
positive
obvious
made in good
time
9. Narrow
channels
A vessel
proceeding along
a narrow channel
must keep to
starboard.
Small vessels or
sailing vessels
must not impede
(larger) vessels
which can
navigate only
within a narrow
channel.
Ships must not
cross a channel
if to do so
would impede
another vessel
which can
navigate only
within that
channel.
10. Traffic
separation
schemes
Ships must cross
traffic lanes
steering a
course "as
nearly as
practicable" at
right angles to
the direction of
traffic. This
reduces
confusion and
enables that
vessel to cross
the lane as
quickly as
possible.
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Section II (for
vessels in sight
of one another)
11. Application
The following
rules 11-18
applies to
vessels in sight
of one another.
(Section II does
not apply if in
restricted
visibility, see
Section III)
12. Sailing
vessels
Two sailing
vessels
approaching one
another must
give-way as
follows:
Port gives way
to Starboard.
When each has
the wind on a
different side,
the vessel which
has the wind to
port must give
way;
Windward gives
way to leeward.
When both have
the wind on the
same side, the
vessel which is
windward must
give way to the
vessel which is
leeward;
Unsure port
gives way. If a
vessel, with the
wind on the port
side, sees a
vessel to
windward and
cannot determine
whether the
other vessel has
the wind on the
port or the
starboard side,
they must give
way.
13. Overtaking
The overtaking
vessel must keep
well clear of
the vessel being
overtaken.
14. Head-on
situations
When two
power-driven
vessels are
meeting head-on
both must alter
course to
starboard so
that they pass
on the port side
of the other.
15. Crossing
situations
When two
power-driven
vessels are
crossing, the
vessel which has
the other on the
starboard side
must give way.
16. The give-way
vessel
The give-way
vessel must take
early and
substantial
action to keep
well clear.
17 The stand-on
vessel
The stand-on
vessel may take
action to avoid
collision if it
becomes clear
that the
give-way vessel
is not taking
appropriate
action.
18.
Responsibilities
Between Vessels
Except in narrow
channels,
traffic schemes,
and when
overtaking (i.e.
rules 9, 10, and
13)
A power-driven
vessel must give
way to:
a vessel not
under command;
a vessel
restricted in
ability to
maneuver;
a vessel engaged
in fishing.
a sailing
vessel.
A sailing vessel
must give way
to:
a vessel not
under command;
a vessel
restricted in
ability to
maneuver;
a vessel engaged
in fishing.
A vessel engaged
in fishing when
underway shall,
so far as
possible, keep
out of the way
of:
a vessel not
under command;
a vessel
restricted in
her ability to
maneuver.
Any vessel other
than a vessel
not under
command or a
vessel
restricted in
her ability to
maneuver shall,
if the
circumstances of
the case admit,
avoid impeding
the safe passage
of a vessel
constrained by
her draft,
exhibiting the
signals in Rule
28.
A vessel
constrained by
her draft shall
navigate with
particular
caution having
full regard to
her special
condition.
A seaplane on
the water shall,
in general, keep
well clear of
all vessels and
avoid impeding
their
navigation. In
circumstances,
however, where
risk of
collision
exists, she
shall comply
with the Rules
of this Part.
f) i) A WIG
craft when
taking off,
landing and in
flight near the
surface shall
keep well clear
of all other
vessels and
avoid impeding
their navigation
ii) A WIG craft
operating on the
water surface
shall comply
with the rules
of this part as
a power driven
vessel.
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Section III (for
restricted
visibility)
19. Restricted
visibility
(a) Rule 19
applies to
vessels (not in
sight of one
another) in or
near of
restricted
visibility
waters.
(b) All ships
shall reduce to
a safe speed for
the condition of
visibility (see
Rule 6). A
power-driven
vessel shall
standby her
engine for
immediate use or
stop
(particularly
for a large
ocean going
vessel may take
long time to get
her engine ready
to use).
(c) All ships
shall comply
with the Section
I of this Part
(e.g. Rule
5.lookout,
6.safe speed,
7.risk of
collision,
8.action to
avoid collision,
9. Narrow
Channel & 10.
TSS) for the
visibility
condition.
(d) Take early
and substantial
action to avoid
collision if
detecting
another vessel
by use radar
alone (not in
sight), but:-
1. any change of
course to port
for a vessel
forward of the
beam should be
avoided except
for a vessel
being overtaken
(e.g. determined
by radar plot),
2. any change of
course toward a
vessel abeam or
abaft the beam
should be
avoided.
when hear any
unknown fog
signal of
another vessel
apparently
forward should
reduce the speed
to minimum or
make all way off
(stop all water
speed by astern
engine) and
navigate with
extreme caution
unless risk of
collision not
exist (e.g.
determined by
radar plot, but
aware of small
crafts may not
able be detected
or mis-identified
in busy waters).
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Part C - Lights
and shapes
20. Application
Rules concerning
lights apply
from sunset to
sunrise.
21. Definitions
Gives
definitions for
various types of
light.
'Sidelights'
means a green
light on the
starboard side
and a red light
on the port
side.
22. Visibility
of lights
Lights must be
visible as
follows;
In vessels of 50
metres or more
in length:
a masthead
light, 6
nautical miles;
a sidelight, 3
miles;
a towing light,
3 miles;
a white, red,
green or yellow
all-around
light, 3 miles.
In vessels
between 12-50
meters in
length;
a masthead
light, for
vessel longer
than 20 meters,
5 miles; for
vessel shorter
than 20 metres,
3 miles
a sidelight, 2
miles;
a sternlight, 2
miles;
a white, red,
green or yellow
all-round light,
2 miles.
In vessels less
than 12 meters
in length:
a masthead
light, 2 miles;
a sidelight, 1
mile;
a towing light,
2 miles;
a white, red,
green or yellow
all-around
light, 2 miles.
23. Lights
displayed by
power-driven
vessels underway
A power-driven
vessel underway
must display:
a masthead light
forward;
If over 50m
length, then
also a second
masthead light
aft and higher
than the forward
one;
sidelights;
a sternlight.
A hovercraft
must also
display an
all-round
flashing yellow
light.
A wing-in-ground
craft must also
display a bright
all-round
flashing red
light when
taking off,
landing, or
flying near the
surface.
A power-driven
vessel of less
than 12 metres
may display only
an all-round
white light and
sidelights.
A power-driven
vessel of less
than 7 metres
whose maximum
speed does not
exceed 7 knots
may display only
an all-round
white light.
24. Lights for
vessels towing
and pushing
A power driven
vessel when
towing must show
two masthead
lights on top of
each other,
instead of the
masthead(s)
prescribed in
Rule 23;
sidelights;
a sternlight;
a towing light
vertically above
the sternlight;
a diamond shape
if the tow is
longer than 200
metres.
if a pushing
vessel and the
vessel it is
pushing are
rigidly
connected, they
count together
as a power
driven vessel
and must show
the light
prescribed by
Rule 23.
If the pushing
vessel and
vessel being
pushed are not
rigidly
connected, they
must instead
show:
two masthead
lights on top of
each other,
instead of the
masthead(s)
prescribed in
Rule 23;
sidelights;
a sternlight.
Power driven
vessels larger
than 50 metres
which are towing
or pushing and
are not part of
a composite unit
must also show:
a second
masthead abaft
of and higher
than the forward
one (vessels
smaller than 50
metres may also
show this
light).
Vessels being
towed that are
not
inconspicuous or
partly submerged
must show:
sidelights;
a sternlight;
a diamond shape
if the tow is
longer than 200
metres.
Any number of
vessels being
towed or pushed
together shall
be lit as one
vessel, and
a vessel being
pushed ahead
must show
sidelights at
its forward end
if it is not
part of a
composite unit;
a vessel being
towed alongside
must show a
sternlight and
sidelights at
its forward end.
A vessel being
towed that are
inconspicuous or
partly submerged
must show:
if it is
narrower than 25
metres, one
all-round white
light near the
forward end
(except if it is
a dracone) and
one near the
after end;
if it is wider
than 25 metres,
then also two
all round white
lights at the
extremities of
its breadth;
if it is longer
than 100 metres,
then in a series
of such all
round white
lights spaced no
further than 100
metres apart;
a diamond shape
near the end of
the last vessel,
and, if the tow
is longer than
200 metres,
another diamond
shape as far
forward as
possible.
If for any
reason it is not
possible to
light the vessel
according to
these rules, all
possible
measures must be
taken to light
the vessel and
indicate its
presence.
If the towing
vessel is not
normally engaged
in towing
operations and
it is
impractical to
light it
correctly, it is
not obliged to
show these
lights if it is
towing a vessel
in distress or
in need of
assistance. All
possible
measures must be
taken to show
that it is
towing; in
particular the
towline should
be illuminated.
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ANNEX IV
Distress signals
1. The following
signals, used or
exhibited either
together or
separately,
indicate
distress and
need of
assistance:
(a) a gun or
other explosive
signal fired at
intervals of
about a minute;
(b) a continuous
sounding with
any
fog-signalling
apparatus;
(c) rockets or
shells, throwing
red stars fired
one at a time at
short intervals;
(d) a signal
made by
radiotelegraphy
or by any other
signalling
method
consisting of
the group
ญญญญญ．．．－ － － ．．．(SOS)
in the Morse
Code;
(e) a signal
sent by
radiotelephony
consisting of
the spoken word
“Mayday”;
(f) the
International
Code Signal of
distress
indicated by NC;
(g) a signal
consisting of a
square flag
having above or
below it a ball
or anything
resembling a
ball;
(h) flames on
the vessel (as
from a burning
tar barrel, oil
barrel, etc);
(i) a rocket
parachute flare
or a hand flare
showing a red
light;
(j) a smoke
signal giving
off
orange-coloured
smoke;
(k) slowly and
repeatedly
raising and
lowering arms
outstretched to
each side;
(l) the
radiotelegraph
alarm signal;
(m) signals
transmitted by
emergency
position-indicating
radio
beacons;(see
GMDSS)
(n) approved
signals
transmitted by
radiocommunication
systems,
including
survival craft
radar
transponders.
(see GMDSS)
2. The use or
exhibition of
any of the
foregoing
signals except
for the purpose
of indicating
distress and
need of
assistance and
the use of other
signals which
may be confused
with any of the
above signals is
prohibited.
3. Attention is
drawn to the
relevant
sections of the
International
Code of Signals,
the Merchant
Ship Search and
Rescue Manual
and the
following
signals;
(a) a piece of
orange-coloured
canvas with
either a black
square and
circle or other
appropriate
symbol (for
identification
from the air);
(b) a dye
marker.
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