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COLREG Rules
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
A
Part A — General
3- 1ApplicationCOLREG applies to all vessels on the high seas and in connected waters navigable by seagoing vessels, subject to closely conforming local special rules and IMO-adopted traffic separation schemes.
- 2ResponsibilityNothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel from the consequences of neglecting these Rules or neglecting any precaution required by ordinary practice of seamanship.
- 3General DefinitionsDefines key terms used throughout the COLREGs including vessel, power-driven vessel, sailing vessel, restricted visibility, and more.
B
Part B — Steering & Sailing Rules
16Section I.Conduct in any condition of visibility
- 4ApplicationRules in Section I apply in any condition of visibility.
- 5Look-outEvery vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means.
- 6Safe SpeedEvery vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that proper and effective action can be taken to avoid collision.
- 7Risk of CollisionEvery vessel shall use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists. If in doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.
- 8Action to Avoid CollisionAny action to avoid collision shall be positive, made in ample time, and with due regard to good seamanship.
- 9Narrow ChannelsA vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on her starboard side.
- 10Traffic Separation SchemesVessels using traffic separation schemes shall proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow.
Section II.Conduct in sight of one another
- 11ApplicationRules in this Section apply to vessels in sight of one another.
- 12Sailing VesselsWhen two sailing vessels approach, the one with wind on port side keeps clear. When both have wind on same side, the windward vessel keeps clear.
- 13OvertakingAny vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
- 14Head-on SituationWhen two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, each shall alter course to starboard to pass port to port.
- 15Crossing SituationWhen two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way.
- 16Action by Give-way VesselEvery vessel directed to keep out of the way shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
- 17Action by Stand-on VesselThe stand-on vessel shall keep her course and speed, but may take action when it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not acting.
- 18Responsibilities Between VesselsRule 18 sets the basic responsibilities between vessel types. Constrained-by-draught vessels receive special consideration but are not simply another rung in a fixed hierarchy.
C
Part C — Lights & Shapes
12- 20Application (Lights)Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise and during restricted visibility.
- 21Definitions (Lights)Defines masthead light, sidelights, sternlight, towing light, all-round light and flashing light.
- 22Visibility of LightsSpecifies minimum visibility ranges for lights based on vessel length.
- 23Power-driven Vessels UnderwayPower-driven vessels underway shall exhibit masthead light(s), sidelights, and sternlight. Vessels 50m+ require two masthead lights.
- 24Towing and PushingVessels towing or pushing display additional masthead lights and a yellow towing light. Three masthead lights if tow exceeds 200m.
- 25Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under OarsSailing vessels show sidelights and sternlight. May optionally show red over green all-round lights at the masthead.
- 26Fishing VesselsFishing vessels show green over white when trawling, red over white for other fishing, and sidelights plus sternlight when making way.
- 27Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Ability to ManoeuvreNUC shows two red all-round lights vertically. RAM shows red-white-red all-round lights vertically.
- 28Vessels Constrained by Their DraughtA vessel constrained by draught may display three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder day shape.
- 29Pilot VesselsA pilot vessel on duty shows white over red all-round lights at the masthead. When underway, also sidelights and sternlight.
- 30Anchored Vessels and Vessels AgroundAnchored vessels show an all-round white light forward and another aft (lower). Vessels aground additionally show two red all-round lights.
- 31SeaplanesWhere it is impracticable for a seaplane to exhibit lights of the exact characteristics, it shall exhibit lights as closely similar as possible.
D
Part D — Sound & Light Signals
6- 32Definitions (Sound Signals)Whistle = any Annex III-compliant sound appliance. Short blast ≈ 1 s. Prolonged blast = 4-6 s. Get the duration wrong and the meaning changes.
- 33Equipment for Sound SignalsWhistle from 12 m, bell added from 20 m, gong added from 100 m — and the gong's tone must not be confused with the bell's.
- 34Manoeuvring and Warning SignalsOne short blast means starboard, two means port, three means astern propulsion, and five or more rapid blasts mean doubt or danger.
- 35Sound Signals in Restricted VisibilityIn restricted visibility, power-driven vessels making way sound one prolonged blast every 2 minutes. Vessels not making way sound two prolonged blasts.
- 36Signals to Attract AttentionIf necessary to attract attention, a vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any prescribed signal.
- 37Distress SignalsWhen in distress and requiring assistance, vessels shall use the signals described in Annex IV (red flares, SOS, MAYDAY, DSC, EPIRB and others).
E
Part E — Exemptions
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