COLREG Rule 3 Definitions

An OOW should know the rule 3 definitions verbatim

Vessel

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.

Power-Driven Vessel

Any vessel propelled by machinery.

Sailing Vessel

Any vessel under sail provided that if proppeling machinery is fitted - it is not used.

Vessel Engaged in Fishing

Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restricts manoeuvrability but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.

Seaplane

Any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water.

Vessel not under command

A vessel which through some circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

A vessel which the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out the way of another vessel.

Vessel constrained by her draught

A power-driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.

Underway

A vessel not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.

Length and Breadth

A vessels overall length and greatest breadth.

In sight of one another

When a ship can be observed visually from the other.

Restricted Visibility

Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.

Wing-In-Ground (WIG)

A multimodal craft which, in operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.