Rule 19 applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.
- 1altering to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken
- 2altering towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam
IMO COLREG 1972Official text
(a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.
(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre.
(c) Every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the Rules of Section I of this Part.
(d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided:
(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;
(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.
(e) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.Reproduced verbatim from the IMO COLREG 1972 Convention (as amended).
STCW Bridge Watch Lens
Restricted visibility watchkeeping is a package: inform the master, post a proper look-out, exhibit the correct lights, have engines ready and operate radar effectively.
Avoid the instinctive port alteration for a target forward of the beam.
Slow down, reassess and keep the contact under systematic observation.
After manoeuvring, keep monitoring bearing, range, CPA/TCPA and passing distance until the other vessel is finally past and clear.
Exam Focus
Start every scenario by classifying the encounter: overtaking, head-on, crossing, narrow channel, traffic separation, or restricted visibility.
If two rules seem to conflict, check the order carefully: overtaking duties still apply, and Rule 2 still requires ordinary seamanship.
Rule 19 does not create stand-on and give-way vessels.
If the vessels are not in sight of one another, do not apply the crossing or head-on rules.
Βασικά σημεία
Rule 19 applies when vessels are not visually in sight of one another
There is no stand-on vessel under Rule 19; every ship must assess and manoeuvre prudently
Avoid the instinctive port alteration for a radar target forward of the beam
If necessary, take all way off and continue with extreme caution until the danger has passed
Συνηθισμένα λάθη
Applying the crossing or head-on rules to radar-only contacts
Keeping too much speed after hearing a fog signal ahead
Turning toward a contact that is already abeam or abaft the beam
Δοκιμάστε τις γνώσεις σας
Δοκιμάστε τις γνώσεις σας και αποδείξτε την κυριαρχία.