Collision Regs rules 1 - 19 + distress signals

Rule 1

Rule 1 → Application (PART A-GENERAL)

(a) These Rules 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

(Special rules shall conform as closely as possible to these rules)

(e) government may make exemptions for vessels of special construction or purpose

(Authority in Canada for Exemptions → Minister of Transport)

Rule 2

Rule 2 → Responsibility (PART A-GENERAL)

(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) May make a departure from these rules to avoid immediate danger

Rule 3

Rule 3 → General definitions (PART A-GENERAL)

Rule 4

Rule 4 → Application rules in this section apply in any condition of visibility (PART B Section 1)

Rule 5

Rule 5 → Look-Out (PART B SECTION 1)

→ Every Vessel at all times shall Maintain a proper lookout 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 risk of collision

Rule 6

Rule 6 → Safe Speed (PART B SECTION 1)

→ Every Vessel at all times shall 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.

→ In determine safe speed the following factors shall be taken into account

1. The state of visibility

2. The traffic’s density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels

3. The manoeuvrability of the vessel with special references to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing circumstances

4. At night the presence of background lights such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights

5. The state of wind, sea and current and proximity of navigational hazards

6. The draught in relation to the available depth of water

   Additionally on a vessel equipped with radar the effectiveness and capabilities of the radar in the prevailing circumstances

   →(can mod) every vessel passing another vessel or work that includes a dredge, tow grounded vessel or wreck shall proceed with caution at a speed that will not adversely affect the vessel or work being passed

Rule 7

Rule 7 → Risk of Collision (PART B SECTION 1)

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

→ Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational

→ Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.

→in determine risk of collision

- such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change

- such risk may still exist with an appreciable bearing change particularly with a large vessel, tow or another vessel at close range

Rule 8

Rule 8 → Action To Avoid Collision (PART B SECTION 1)

→ any action to avoid collision if the circumstances of the case admit be positive made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship

→ Any alteration of course or speed to avoid collision 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 or speed should be avoided)

→ if sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be best action to avoid collision provided it is made in good time is substantial and does not result in another close quarters situation

→ action to avoid collision shall result in passing at a safe distance

→ if necessary to avoid collision, or allow more time to asses situation, a vessel shall slacked her speed or take all the way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion

Rule 9

Rule 9 → Narrow Channels (PART B SECTION 1)

→ a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit on her starboard side as is safe and practicable

→ a vessel of less than 20 m or a sailing vessels shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only safely navigate within a narrow channel or fairway

→ vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway

→ a vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway so as to impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway, the vessel being impeded may use the danger signal if in doubt as to the crossing

(Great Lakes) → Vessel being impeded has to use danger signal if in doubt

→ when overtaking can only happen if the vessel being overtaken must take action the vessel overtaking shall sound the appropriate signal and the vessel being overtaken shall reply

(Great lakes) → different signals used

→ vessel near bend or obstruction which may obscure other vessels shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and sound the appropriate sound signal

→if the circumstances of the case admit Vessels shall avoid anchoring in a narrow channel

(Can mod)

→ barge or conspicuous partly submerged vessel or object shall not be navigated moored or anchored so as to impede the safe passage of any other vessel or object

(Can Mod)

→ In narrow channel or fairway with tidal stream, when tow power driven vessels are meeting from opposite directions the one proceeding with the tidal stream is stand on and shall propose the place of passage/side to pass on with the appropriate sound signal

→ the vessel proceeding against the tidal stream is give-way and shall reply with the appropriate sound signal if in agreement or doubt

Rule 10

Rule 10 → Traffice Seperation Schemes (PART B SECTION 1)

→ vessel using traffic seperation scheme shall

(i) proceed in appropriate traffic lane

(ii) so far as practicable keep clear of traffic’s separation line or seperation zone

(iii) normally join or leave traffic lane at termination of lane

(iiii) when joining/leaving from the side do so at as small an angle practicable to the general flow of traffic

→ avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged do so at as close to as practice to a right angle to the general flow of traffic

→ vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when it can safely use the appropriate traffic lane

→ Vessels that may use inshore traffic zone

-vessels less then 20m

-sailing vessels

-vessels engaged in fishing

-any vessel en route to or from port

-any vessel to avoid immediate danger

Vessel shall not enter a seperation zone or cross a seperation line except for

- a vessel joining/leaving or crossing

-a vessel engaged in fishing

-a vessel in a case of emergency to avoid immediate danger

→ so far as practicable vessels shall avoid anchoring in a traffic seperation scheme or near the it’s terminations

→ a vessel not using a traffic seperation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as practicable

→ a vessel engage in fishing shall not impede the safe passage of any vessel following a traffic lane

→ a vessel of less then 20m or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a power driven vessel following a traffic lane

(Can Mod)

→vessel RAM carying out work is exempted from these rules if it identifies itself to department of fisheries and oceans canada with the nature duration and location of the operation

→ a vessel making a transatlantic voyage shall so far as practicable avoid crossing the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Labrador north of 43* north latitude (icebergs)

Rule 11

Rule 11 → Conduct of Vessels In Sight Of One Another (PART B SECTION 2)

Rule 12

Rule 12 → Sailling Vessels (PART B SECTION 2)

(for sailing vessels between sailing vessels only)

→ wind on different sides, sailing vessel with wind on port side is give way

→wind on same side, windward vessel is give way

→ wind on port side unable to determine wind side of other vessel windward, wind on port side vessel give way

Rule 13

Rule 13 → Overtaking (PART B SECTION 2)

→ Notwithstanding anything in the rules of part B section 1 and 2, any vessel overtaking another vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken

(trumps every other rule except restricted vis)

→ vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam

(At night, would only see sternlight, no sidelights)

→ if any doubt as to weather your overtaking assume you are

→ vessel overtaking is not relived of give-way obligation until she is finally past and clear

Rule 14

Rule 14 → Head On Situation (PART B SECTION 2)

→ when two power-driven vessels are meeting on a reciprocal or near reciprocal course so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass port to port

→ situation exists when one vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead

→ at night situation exists if masthead lights of other vessel are in line or both sidelights are visible

→ when in doubt assume situation exists

Rule 15

Rule 15 → Crossing Situation (PART B SECTION 2)

→ when two power driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision the one which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way

→ if circumstances of the case admit give-way vessel shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessels bow

(Great Lake)

→ vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power driven ascending or descending the river, except in the St. Lawrence River seaward of Ile rouge

Rule 16

Rule 16 → Action By Give-Way-Vessel (PART B SECTION 2)

→ every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear

Rule 17

Rule 17 → Action by Stand-On-Vessel (PART B SECTION 2)

→ stand on vessel shall keep her course and speed

→ stand on vessel may take action when it becomes apparent that the give way vessel is not taking appropriate action

→ stand on vessel shall take action when she finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by action of the give-way vessel alone

→ a stand on vessel in a crossing situation shall if the circumstances of the case admit not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side

→ this rule does not relieve the give way vessel of her obligation

Rule 18

Rule 18 → Responsibilities Between Vessels (PART B SECTION 2)

→ except where rules 9, 10 and 13 say otherwise

→ PWR is give way to

-sailing, fishing, RAM, NUC

→ sailing is give way to

-fishing, RAM, NUC

→ fishing is give way to

-RAM, NUC

→ every vessel other then NUC, RAM shall avoid impeding a vessel constrained by her draft

→ seaplane in water, give way to all vessel

→ WIG when taking off and landing is give way to all vessel

→ WIG operating on the water surface is a power driven vessel

Rule 19

Rule 19 → Conduct Of Vessels In Restricted Visibility (PART B SECTION 3)

→ every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility

→ power driver vessel, shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre

→every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the rules of (Part B section 1)

→ vessel that detects another vessel by radar alone shall determine if a close quarters situation is developing, if so she shall take avoiding action in ample time and avoid

-an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam other then for a vessel being overtaken

-an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam

→ unless it has been determined that risk of collision does not exist any vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam or cannot avoid a close-quarters situation forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course, if necessary take all her way off and navigate with extreme caution untill danger of collision is over

Distress Signals (15 international) (2 can mod) (2 SAR)

International

1. → A gun or other explosive signals fired at intervals of about a minute

2. → A continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus

3. → rockets or shells, throwing red stars fires one at a time intervals

4. → a signal made by any signalling method consisting of the group (SOS) in the morse code

5. → a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “MAYDAY'“

6. → the international code signal of distress indicated by N,C

7. → a signal consisting of a square flag, above it or below it anything resembling a ball

8. flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc)

9. a rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare showing a red light

10. a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke

11. slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched at each side

12. a distress alert by means of digital selective calling transmitted on VHF channel 70

13. a ship to shore distress alert transmitted by the ships Inmarsat or other mobile satellite service provider ship earth station

14. signals transmitted by EPIRB

15. approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems, including survival craft radar transponders

Canadian Modifications

1. → a square shape or anything resembling a square shape

2. → a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals of 50 to 70 times per minute

Search and Rescue

1. → a piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air)

2. → a dye marker