International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

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The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS) are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and set out the "rules of the road" to be followed by ships and other vessels at sea.^[1]

A slightly different set of navigation rules, called the "Inland Navigation Rules", applies in the inland waters of the USA; the standard publication of these rules in the USA includes both the international and inland rules.^[2]

The ColRegs form an integral part of the Racing Rules of Sailing, which govern the conduct of yacht and dinghy racing.

The Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisons at Sea was adopted by the IMO member countries on 20 October 1972 and the regulations were brought into force on 15 July 1977. The regulations have subsequently been revised in 1981, 1987, 1989, 1993 and 2001. The 1972 regulations replaced the Collision Regulations first adopted in 1960.

The regulations are made of five parts A-E and four annexes I-IV.

1 Summary of the rules

[edit] Summary of the rules

The rules are specified in great detail in the regulations and the serious student is encouraged to seek the definitive document. However the rules are summarized below.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Part B - Steering and sailing

[edit] 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 collison 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 collison 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 "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.

[edit] 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 vesselsand 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.

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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, 5 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 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 power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters may display only an all-round white light and sidelights.
A power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may display only an all-round white light.

24. Lights for vessels towing and pushing

25. Lights for sailing and rowing vessels

26. Lights for fishing vessels

27. Lights for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

28. Lights for vessels constrained by their draught

29. Lights for pilot vessels

30. Lights for vessels anchored and aground

A vessel at anchor must display an all-round white light or one ball and at the stern and at a lower level than the first light, an all-round white light

31. Lights for seaplanes

[edit] Part D - Sound and light signals

32. Definitions of whistle short blast (1 second) , and prolonged blast (4-6 seconds).

33. Equipment: Vessels 12 metres or more in length should carry a whistle and a bell and vessels 100 metres or more in length should carry in addition a gong.

34. Manoeuvring and warning signals, using whistle or lights (summary chart): The signals are used when vessels are in sight of one another

35. Sound signals to be used in restricted visibility (summary chart): The signals are used when vessels are in restricted visibility.

36. Signals to be used to attract attention

37. Distress signals

[edit] Part E - Exemption

38. Exemption

Any vessel (or class of vessel) provided that she complies with the requirements of the International Regulations for the Preventing of Collisions at Sea, 1960, the keel of which is laid or is at a corresponding stage of construction before the entry into force of these Regulations may be exempted from compliance therewith as follows: (a) The installation of lights with ranges prescribed in Rule 22, until 4 years after the date of entry into force of these regulations.

(b) The installation of lights with color specifications as prescribed in Section 7 of Annex I to these Regulations, until 4 years after the entry into force of these Regulations.

(c) The repositioning of lights as a result of conversion from Imperial to metric units and rounding off measurement figures, permanent exemption.

(d)

(i) The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of less than 150 meters in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3 (a) of Annex I to these regulations, permanent exemption.

(ii). The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of 150 meters or more in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3 (a) of Annex I to these regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.

(e) The repositioning of masthead lights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.

(f) The repositioning of sidelights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(g) and 3(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.

(g) The requirements for sound signal appliances prescribed in Annex II to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.

(h) The repositioning of all-round lights resulting from the prescription of Section 9(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption.

[edit] ANNEXES

ANNEX I - Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes
ANNEX II - Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity
ANNEX III - Technical details of sound signal appliances
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;

(d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group ．．．－　－　－　．．．(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.