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Foreword
lntroduction
Rule5

Look Out!

Rule6

Watch your Speed!

Rule7

Watch that Ship!

Rule8

Do Somethingand do it EarlY!

Rutet0

Traffic SeparationLanesare not Rightsof Way!

Rule 13

LeaveAmple Room!

Rulel4

ShipAhead!

Rule /5

Watch Vesselsto Starboard!

Rule 16

Keep Everybody Happyl

Rule17

ls SheAltering?

Rutel9

RestrictedVisibility ChangesEverything!

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5
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FOREWORD
by Captain R B Middleton FNI President The Nautical Institute.

The confidentialmarine accidentreports which we publisheach month in our journal SEAWAYS

have indicatedthat marinersare frequentlyconfronted with hazardoussituationsrelatingto the
COLREGS.
To investigatethe problemsThe NauticalInstituteinitiatedin 2002 an internationalsurvey
amongstseagoingofficersto enquire if they thought there was a problem, what the causes
could be and to suggestsolutions.
The results were alarming with nearly 50oloof the respondents stating that in their view the
problemswere causedby ignoranceand wilful disregardof the rules.
However respondentsalsodrew attention to other factors like distractionsdue to GMDSSfalse
alarms,VHF chafter,VTS reporting,and paperwork.
When it came to solutionsrespondentshighlightedboth the need to improve the educationand
trainingof watchkeepingofficersand better supervisionby senior officerson board.
Undoubtedly we all have to work to improve standardsof bridge watchkeeping and this
thoughtfulguide produced by the North of EnglandP&l Club is an excellenrplaceto start.
Oflicers can work through a pageat a time discussingthe elementswith colleaguesand relating
the contents to the full form of the rules.
For experienced officers there is an opportunity to work through the text r, " ,"fru.h". "nd to
use the booklet as a trainingaid when coachingjunior officersand cadetson watch.
It is our duty as nautical professionalsto ensure that we are responsible at all times for the safe
navigationof our shipsand this booklet providesa valuabletext to re-establishgood practice.

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CONVENTIONON THE INTERNATIONAL
REGUIATIONS
FOR
PREVENTING
COLLTSTONS
AT SEA,t972 (COLREGS)
This guide is basedon the COLREGSposter seriesproduced by the North of EnglandP&l
Association'sRiskManagementDepartment between 2001 and 2004.
The aim of these posters is not to provide an all encompassingguide to the Rulesbut to dispel
some frequent misunderstandings
and misinterpretationsof the most widely used Rulesand
to provide a graphicillustrationof the correct stepsto decipher and to apply the Regulations.
While it is vital to know the contents of the Regulations,simply being able to recite them
verbatim is no substitutefor knowing how to apply them. A coherent full working knowledge
of the text and its applicationis vitalThe UK Marine Accident InvestigationBranchhasstressedthe importanceof Rule2 and their
concern that this vital Ruleis so often overlooked.
Rule2 - Responsibiliry
(o) Nothing in these Rulessho/l exonerdteony vessel,or the owner,mosteror crew thereof,from the
consequences
of ony neglectto comply with these Ru/esor of neglectof ony precoutionwhich
moy be requiredby the ordinoryproctice of seoman,or by the speciolcircumstoncesof the case.
(b) ln construingond complyingwith theseRulesdue regord shollbe had to oll dongersof novigation
ond collisionond to ony specialcircumstances,includingthe limitationsofthe vesselsinvolved,
which moy moke o deporturefrom theseRu/esnecessoryto ovoidimmediatedonger.
This fundamentalfeature of the COLREGShighlightsthe fact that you, the manners,are
responsiblefor your own actionsand you haveto comply with the Ruleswhile ensuringthat
you take all precautionsof the ordinary practiceof seafarers- there is no substitutefor the
applicationof common senseon the seas.

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"lmproving
the applicationof the COLREGS"survey,it was
During the NauticalInstitute's
"uncertainty",
noted by the late Captain FranEoisBaillodFNl, that reported incidentsrelated to
"disregard
"ignorance","poor
"violations"
for the COLREGS".While many cited
knowledge
and
"lack
of the COLREGS",or
of training" as reasonsfor the poor and ineffectiveapplicationof
the Regulations.
were devisedto make the navigationof shipssafer- however we
The CollisionRegulations
must remember they are alsothe law and all should observethem. There can be no excusesThis guide is
ignoranceis no defenceand if you disobeythese laws there will be consequences.
intendedto provide a reminder of the Rulesand the processesthat should be appliedin making
them work.
Huch of the guidancetext has been provided by Captain Roger Symswho has enthusiastically
embracedthe idea of providingan easyto use guide to the COLREGSin conjunctionwith the
originalNonh of Englandposter series.This project hasalso been able to make use of the
experiencesexpressedthrough the NauticalInstitute'ssurveyinto the COLREGS.
The North of Englandalso acknowledgeswith thanks, the contribution and suggestionsof
dte UK MarineAccident InvestigationBranchon the conceptualideasbehindthe proiect.

Everyvessesha at al t mes ma nta n a prope. ook-out by siSht

and hea fg aswel as by all avalablemeansapproprlaten the
preval ng

cumstances
and condirons so asto ma<ea fu

a p p r a s ao l t h e s r d a t i o .a n do f r h e s k o f c o s l o n .

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"Look out" means pay attention to evefihing!

- Not lust looking ahead out of the window

but all round the vessel,usingall your sensesand all appropriateequipment availableto you.

THATGIVESYOU
KEEPAN EYEAND EARON EVERYTHING
INCLUDING:
INFORMATION
o

Radar/ARPA - Be aware of the effects of clutter, of small targets and the range of the set.

Radio transmissions - Keep an ear on what is going on in the vessel'sviciniry.

Sound Signals - Can you hear any sound signalsnear-by? Be aware of the effect of
keepinga closedwheelhouse,and of distractingnoisesin a closedspace.
Course and Position Navigation Aids - lf you haveto alter course make sure there is

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Depth indicator - frequentlyand systematicallymonitor the depth of water beneath

the vessel.
Be aware - WS and AIS are there to help you.

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safewater available.

BEWARE
OF DISTRACTIONS!
o

to distractyou from
Alarms - Do not allow alarms,such as falseGMDSStransmissions,
keepinga proper look-out.

Lights - Do not allow lightson your vesselto impair your vision

Communications - VHF transmissionsand mobile phonesare not your first priority.

Do not allow them to distractyou.

Rule 5 applies at all times - there must alwaysbe someonelooking-out.lf weather or conditions
causeconcern then more lookouts may be neededand should be calledwithout hesitation.

Every vesel shall at all times proceed at a sale speed s ihd she d hke prcper ad effctire &tion io avoid @llision and
be iopped within a distece appropriate to the pBailing circumsnces and conditions.
In determining a sale speed the following fado6 shall be amonA lhse taken inb &count:
(b)
(D the ide of v:rbirity;
(iD the tarfi. demity includins con@nrarions ol lishina
vsek or any other v$sels:
(iii) the m-oeuvEbility of rhe v6sel with spcial rete.ence
to noppin8 disnce and turnjiS ability in $e peEjling
(rv) at nieht the peence ot back.ound lishr such a rrcm
shore liglts or from back scate. oI her om lights;
(vl the sb@ or wind, sd and 4reni
dd the proximity of
navigaliomlhards;
(O the daoght id reldion to the &ailable depd, olw:ri

e7

Additidall, by v$eb wnh opdional ndd:

(D rh chd!@rini6,
erkiencr and linibhoN ortha
adar equipment;
(it a/ @mftints impGed by rhe Edr ranse scale
(ii)

the ered on Bdd dd*rion ol the *a s@,

weather -d other sourc6 ofintrterdce;
(iv) rhe pNibility that small v6sek, i@ and other
noatine objed may nor be detded by 6dar at an
ade+:e aee:
(v) the numbea loation dd mwement orv6sers
dedd by radar;
(vi) dE morc eEd 6s6mert
ot the vhibiliry .h:r may
be pN ble wfien Bdar k used b deermtne the
@se ol vesk or dher objs
in rhe vicini+

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Rule 6 allows you to make your own judgement as to the most appropriate sPeed at any time
for your vessel,taking into accountthe prevailingcircumstancesand conditions.

CAN YOU REACTEFFECTIVELY

Without exception the safest speed is a reduced speed, because:
.

lt allows you to stop or turn effectively

lt gives you more time to think and to act in a developing situation '
The time to react and respondeffectivelyis all important - vesselsmovingtoo
quickly can often fatallyimpair their own watchkeeper'srisk assessmentprocesses.

lf collision does occur the resulting damage is likely to be a lot less

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Remember the radar or ARPA is not infallible, lt may miss some targetsaltogetheror it may
show very large targets as weak echoes.
Navigational aids such as GPS can be equally susPect - don't rely on one instrument for
information,double check it againstothers.
Constantly monitor your speed - The situationat sea is constantlychangingand what can be
deemed a safespeed in one situationcan changewith circumstances,sometimessuddenly!
l.laintaining high speeds for commercial considerations should not be tolerated
ir is no excuseor defencefor proceedingat an unsafespeed'

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Listen as well as look! - fu with keeping a look out, you must use all the information and
equipment availableto you to determine risk of collision.
Use the compass to check the bearings of approaching vessels - compare it with the
radar bearing.
lf you have operational radar you must use it.
Are you using true or relative vectors? lf you have an Automatic

Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA)

you should use the RELATIVE VECTORS for determining risk of collision and TRUE
VECTORS to ascertain the other vessel's actual movement.
You must be aware of the limitationsand use of the ARPA and interpret informationdisplayed
correctly.
tf you are not litted with an ARPA you must run a RADAR PLOT.
ls tfte targt passing ahead or astern? Or is it going to collide? - Remember the primary
informationyou need to answerthese questionsis relativeinformation.
Eton't trust ARPA to give you an accurate Closest Point of Approach (CPA). - Where
possibletake at leasthalf a mile off each indicationto be safe.(lf it shows a CPA of half a mile

assumeit is collision).

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Don't rely on change of bearing as an indicator of clearance. - As a target approaches

lf the changein bearingdoes not accelerate,
it's changeof bearingshouldspeed up significantly.
treat it as a danger.
Don't rrelax your vigilance - Keep monitoring the situation until the target is passedand
well clear.

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:r<e tr wa/ ofi.r !L.ptn3.l

,,tr ric RLer or Lf s D2 r and sra I ire. rcrtuii.a!.:
n . e . : e a d l t b c p o . n v e m r d . n a m p e t m . a n dl r f , i
(tr e3a d r.ire obsefrrn.. ot;..d s:trn3nsrp
Ar/ ar.:ri.r of c.Lr!:3rdr.' ipeen t. ay.r.l.o !.i
sfx. I rre.i.umntrr..s oI..i,e.x.. idn: be i:r3e enoL:srl
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rrdio :)ee.sh.ud beav.id.d
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mtrr b. the n,.n arjer:ve r.r.n t. rr.id a c o!e qJtr.reis
a
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A re!!: lrri.h:rrfcilheseRues !,:qu e,lrD:::

Lai:
rpaae rre lxsa3e or iae rts:ge.i:i.!h.,
sia *hci Gt., d by tie . r.r m
Gieerryaiiorr..lowsufi .:ntser.onr1o :f.
re$:
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pa*ise of .ioth:f lese s n.i r..v.d oIfiii
ob ier.i tr trpp,or.h ng thc othe ves.e r. r 1.
i f y . l v e r r r . r . o l i r o i r n d r h 3 r v h e ni a i i s i . t . i
iale lu, resfid to lhe r.t or lvh.
!l ire R!les ol tir Ptr1
i I Avese ri:ptr$trg..lihch ! r.ttob: nrPed.d
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e , n aE i u i y o " q r g erdo . o m : r " , n h t h . n L e
Pzl wi.i ilr: xlo vesa s r e app or.hiia.,,:

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Remember a positive alteration made very early on is better than a large panic
alteration at the last minute! - the closer you are to the other vesselthe more you will
haveto do to avoid collision.
Don't iudge a "positive" and "ample" action just by the amount of alteration - confirm
it by the changein CPA. Keep checkingthe situationuntil the risk of collisionis past and clear.

Make your actions obvious to other vessels - Smallalterationsof course are dangerous;
they don't usuallysolve the problem and don't give the other vessela clear indicationof what

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you are doing.

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Use the engines - lf your abilityto alter is constrainedthen SLOW DOWN or STOP

The other rresselmay also be obliged to take action. Always bear in mind what that action
may oe.

N O T I M PE D IN G?
r

"not
to impede", it means you must make a very early alteration
lf the Rulesrequire you
to make sure risk of collisiondoes not develop.
"not
to be impeded" vesselbe preparedfor the other vesselnot to take
lf you are the
the correct action. lf a collisionis imminent you haveto act however constrainedyou are!

Think about what you are doing - Actions taken to avoid collision should follow the
observanceof good seamanship- this is where we haveto apply professionaland sound Practical
judgement!
Use the Trial Manoeuyre setting on your ARPA, if available.

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(i) 1) Ar*r+iridc6e
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drccod

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There is no right of way - Just becauseyou are navigatingwithin a Traffic SeparationScheme

(l-SS)does not give you right of way over other vessels.
The other COLREGS continue to apply within a TSS.

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Remain within the lanes - but if your alteration for a crossingvessel is likely to take you
outsidethe schemethis does not exempt you from following the Rules.lf you are not happy
about it SLOW DOWN or STOP
BE WARY!
Actions of vessels navigating in the vicinity of a TSS can be UNPREDICIABLE.
Look out for crossing vessels on the edge of the scheme. They may alter to cross at right
anglesor they may alter parallelto the schemeto find a lesscrowded placeto cross.
Look out for High Speed Craft (HSC) - HSC tend to presentcollisionriskswide on the
beam. HSC do often alter course early,however you cannot assumethey will alwaysdo so.

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NoMithshnd n3 anlrhingconbned n rhe Rulesof Pad

B, Sec!oE land l. anyve$eloveGkjnE an/ other shall
keep out of the wa/ of ihe vssl b ng ovefrai<en

Whei a vse i: in any noubt s to wherher she is

ovetuking norhei she shal 6sume that this is the.ae

A ve$e shal be deemdto be ovtak nEwhen comins

up wiih a mother veset frcm a d rection more thd 22.5
dqrees abaft hrbeam, that k, in sucha pos tion wrh
refernceto ihe v$3e sh c avedaling, ihat at nehtshe
wo! d be ab to see only the smlighr of thar resd bur

Any subsequent al@t on ol rhe bearing betueen the

tuo ves* s sha I noi m3j<ethe ove@k nE v$e a
fio$idg vesel wiihin th man ng of ih$e Rules or
rel eve her of the d!ry ol keeprng .leaf ol the ovtuken
Ye$elunti she is linaly pd and der

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Don't forget! lf you are not sure you are an overtaking Yessel, you must assume
that you are and keep clear.

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Don't pass close - overtakinginvariablytakes time, so make sure you havea safedistance
between you and the other vessel. (Where possiblethis shouldbe ot least greaterthon your
hord-overturning circle.)
Beware of interaction! - if you are forced by traffic to passcloser be very careful that
interactiondoes not occur.
-

Avoid crossing ahead - lfyou are not on parallel courses and passingclear, cross astern
rather than ahead.
Does the ship being overtaken know you are there? Always assume they do not!

Remain vigilant - Remember,you remain an overtaking vessel until you are finally passed
ind clear.

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Vvnen wo poweFdrivn vses m neeting on

reciprocal or nrly recipro .o
r sk of .oll sion ach shall a ter her cou6e to s6rhoard
so rhat ea.h sha! pson thepofrsideottheothei
(b) Sucha s tuationshalbe deemdto exis when a ve$el
ses ihe oiher ahead or nearly ahead and by n ght she

cou d *e the mdhn lightsof the orher io lin or

nearlyin ine aid/or bdh sidellehc2nd by day sh
obsery6 ine @respondins $ped ofthe othervsel.
(.) When avs is in any doubt b to whdhersuch:
snoarionex sh she shaI sume that it do6 din and

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"Nearfy recipr.ocal"does not mean exactly right ahead. lf a vesselis aheadandcomingthe

of eitherside
otherway on an oppositecourseandroughlywithinhalfa point(6 or 7 degrees)
l4
of the bow,Rule applies.

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IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SUREASSUME A HEAD-ON STTUATIONANYWAY AND

ACT ACCORDINGLY!

RULE8
UNDERSTAND

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Rule 8(a) says,

"any

action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordancewith the Rules

of this Part ..." ("this Part" beingthe Steeringond SoilingRules)

.

lt means that if you have a vessel fine to starboard, even at some distance away, altering
to port to increasethe clearancemay be construedas not being in accordancewith the
COLREGS.You shouldalwaysgo to starboardas directed by the Rule.

- Do not wait for the other vesselto act, the closer you get before taking action
the greater the stepsyou subsequentlyhaveto take to avoid collision.

Alter arty!

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Whentwo power-driven
vessels
arecrossing
so asto involveriskofcollision,the vesselwhichhas
the other on her own starboardsideshallkeepout ofthe way andshall,ifthe circumstances
of
the caseadmit,avoidcrosslng
aheadofthe othervessel.

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Give way early - lf you are the give-way vessel,take early action so the other vessel knows
your intentions.
Avoid crossing ahead - Go to starboard,astern of the vesselif at all possible.
Be considerate - lf the other vessel is hampered in any way, action must be taken even earlier
to reassurethe other vessel.
Be positive! - lf in doubt over crossingor beingovertaken,assumeyou are crossingand
keep clear.
Use your engines - Remember that you should always have the option of using your engines
as well as your helm.

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20 1

so far 6 Possible,take
Everyvesseiwhichis direcredto keep out ofthe way ofanother vesseLshall,
eady and substa.tialactlonto keeDwellciean

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DO NOT HESITATE! - Alter early and adequatelyenough to show the other vessel clearly
what you are doing.
Confirm your alteration - make sure that your action has had the desired effect by checking
the increasein the CPA on the radar.

KEEPEVERYBODY
i.4APPY!
o

Following Rule l6 makes life easier for all vessels.

lf the watchkeeper on the other vessel is happy with the situation and with your alteration
there is lesslikelihoodof he/shedoing anythingunexpected.

Treat other vesselsas you would like to be treated yourself. Apply some courtesy
to seamanshipand common sense.

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tolS 340"d!0
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G) (i) Whe.e one of two vesselsis to keepout

ofthe way the other shallkeepher course

(ii) The latter vesselmax howeyer, take adion

to avoidcollisionby her manoeuvrealone,
6 soond it becomesapparentto her thai
the vesselrequired
lo keepout of the
way 1snot takingappropriateactionin
compliaicewith theseRlles.
(b)

M23

When, from any cause,the vesselrequired

to keepher courseandspeedfindsherself
so closethat collisioncannotbe avoidedby

rhe aciionof the give-wayvessealone,she

shalltakesucha.tion aswill bestaid to avoid
A power-drivenvesselwhichtakesaction
in a crossingsituationin accordance
with
(a)(ii)of this Ruleto avoid
subparasraph
collisionwith aiother poweFdrivenvesel
ofthe cde admit,
sha1l,
if the circumstances
not altero!6e to port for a v$sel on her
Thjs Ruledoes not relievethe giw-way vessel
of her obligationto keep out of the way.

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THERTARETWO STAGESTO RULE

| 7(a)(ii) At some distance ofi - when "as soon as it becomes apparent ... that the vessel
required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriateaction...",you may take your
own action to avoid collision.
PROVIDED you do not alter to port for a vessel on your port side in a crossing situation.
l7(b) At close quarters - when "collisioncannot be avoidedby the give-wayvessel
alone", you shouldtake the best action you can to avoid collision.

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This rule appliesro vessehnot in sEhtofone

anotherwhennavigatinS
in or nearan areaof
Everyve$el shallproceed at a safespeed
adaptedto the prevailing
circumstances
and
conditionsof restrictedvisibility.Apower
drivenvesselshallhaveher ensinesreadyfor
immediatemanoeuvre,
Everyvesselshallhavedue reSardto the
prevailintcircumstances
andconditionsof
restrictedvislbilit/when complyii8whhthe
Rulesof Se.tionlof this Part.
Aveselwhich detectsby radaraloneihe
presenceof anorhervesselshalldetermjneifa
close'qua.ters
situationjs developing
and/orrhk
ot collisionexists.lfso, sheshalltakeavoiding
actionin ampletime, providedthat whensuch

actionconsists
ofar altemtionofcouree,so far
6 posible the foliowiryshallbe avoided:
(i) An altrato. ofcou6eio porifora vesel
foNdd of rhe beam,other the for a ve$el
beinSovertaken;
(ii) An alteEtionof coursetowardsa ve$el
abeamo. abaft the beam.
(e) Exceptwhereit hasbeendeterminedthat a risk
ofcollisiondoesnot exist,everyve$elwhich
hea6 appa.entlyfoMard of he. beam the fot
! g . a l o f a n o , h e\re $ e l o , w h < h c a r n o r . v o aa
close-qua.ters
situationwith anothervessel
tolwrd of her bear. sha reducef er (peedro
the minimumat whichshe<anbe kepron
her course.Sheshallil nece$arytakeall he.
wry ottdnd in dnyeve"r navrSare
wrh enreme
cautionuntildanteroI collisionis ovei

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Rule 19 is a different set of rules that only apply when "vessels are not in sight of

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one another".

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THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STAND-ON VESSEL IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY.

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a vessel forward of the beam, except for a vesselyou are overtaking.

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Avoid altering towards ( I g(dxii)) - lf a target presents a collision or close quarters risk

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Every vessel must act!

Avoid altering to port (lg(dXD) - An alteration of course to port (should be avoided) for

abeam or abaft the beam you must act but avoid altering towards it.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN you cannot alter towards ANY vessel that may be abeam or
abaft the beam. Rule lg(dxiD only applies if there is a collision or close quarters risk.
Use your engines - Again always remember that you should have the option of using your
enginesas well as your helm.
Proceed at a safe speed - have your enginesavailablefor immediate manoeuvring.
lf you don't have radar, for whatever reason, )rou must proceed with extreme caution.
Listen for sound signals and respond accordingly.

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26

REMEMBER!
The COLREGSare not just adviceto the marinerthey are THE LAW.
lf you disobeythe law you will sufferthe consequences.
lgnoranceof the law is nevera defence.

@ NonrH oF ENGLAND
427

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