IALACOLREG
3

General Definitions

Vessel types: power-driven, sailing, fishing, NUC, RAM, CBD, seaplane, WIG.

Rule 3 provides essential definitions used throughout the COLREGs. Key definitions include:

a
The word "vessel" includes 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.
b
The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.
c
The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
d
The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.
e
The word "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water.
f
The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
g
The term "vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre" means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these Rules.
h
The term "vessel constrained by her draught" means a power-driven vessel which because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.
i
The word "underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
j
The words "length" and "breadth" of a vessel mean her length overall and greatest breadth.
k
Vessels shall be deemed to be "in sight of one another" only when one can be observed visually from the other.
l
The term "restricted visibility" means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
m
The term "Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft" means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.

STCW Bridge Watch Lens

Decide applicability before manoeuvring: Rules 4-10 apply in any visibility, Rules 11-18 only when vessels are in sight, and Rule 19 governs radar-only encounters in restricted visibility.

Build the traffic picture with sight, hearing, radar/ARPA and chart context.

Do not let AIS or one isolated bearing replace 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.

Points clés

1

A vessel under sail using its engine is classified as power-driven

2

Fishing vessels must have apparatus that restricts manoeuvrability

3

NUC status requires exceptional circumstances preventing manoeuvring

4

RAM status comes from the nature of the work being performed

5

"Underway" means not anchored, moored, or aground — a vessel adrift IS underway

6

"In sight of one another" requires VISUAL observation — radar contact alone does not count

Erreurs courantes

Classifying a sailing vessel with engine running as a sailing vessel

Confusing NUC with RAM — NUC is exceptional, RAM is work-related

Confusing CBD with NUC/RAM — CBD is specifically about draught vs depth/width of navigable water

Thinking "underway" means making way — a vessel adrift with engines stopped is still underway

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