Q: What is proper name of COLREG?

A: “Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 as

amended”

Q: How many parts in COLREG? What are the names of parts?

A: There are six parts in COLREG.
Part A – General
Part B - Steering and Sailing Rules
Part C - Lights and Shapes
Part D - Sound and Light Signals
Part E – Exemptions
Part F- Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention

Q: How many sections in Part B? What are the names of the sections?
A: There are three sections in Part B.
Section I - Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
Section II - Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another
Section III - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

Q: What is the purpose of COLREG?

A: DESIRING to maintain a high level of safety at sea.

Q: How many Annexes in COLREG? What are the names of Annexes?

A: There are four annexes in COLREG.
Annex I - Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes
Annex II - Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity
Annex III - Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances
Annex IV - Distress Signals
 Rule 1 .Application
(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by an
appropriate authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected with
the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as
possible to these Rules.
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the
Government of any State with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle
signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or with respect to additional
station or signal lights or shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional
station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot
be mistaken for any light, shape or signal authorized elsewhere under these Rules.
Q: What is High Seas?
A: High Seas is defined in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) - All
parts of the sea, not included in EEZ, Territorial sea or Internal waters, or Archipelagic waters.
Q: What is Roadstead?
A: Roadstead is Open anchorage, generally protected by shoals - but less protection than harbour.
(shoal : - a small hill of sand just below the surface of the sea)
Q: Give examples for vessels of special construction or purpose mentioned at Rule 1(e).
e.g. aircraft carrier’s masthead lights – off the centre line & reduced horizontal separation.
e.g. sidelights – may be either side of hull / island.
e.g. warships over 50m – not fitted 2nd masthead light. - e.g. submarine’s forward masthead
light – lower than sidelights.

Rule 2 Responsibility
(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from
the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution
which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the
case.
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of
navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels
involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
Q: Explain about “Limitations of the vessels involved” mentioned at rile 2 (b).
A:Limitations of the vessels involved;
Eg; Meeting a convoy of warships
Meeting submarines
Meeting a seaplane taking off or landing, etc.
These vessels have limitations in their ability to manoeuvre.
Q: How do you understand Justificble departure from these riles?
A: Justifiable departure must be fulfilled with the following conditions: -
1. There are present unavoidable dangers of navigation and collision if complying with the Rules
due regard;
2. There are special circumstances; and
3. There is immediate danger.
4. There must be necessary condition for departure.
• NB: Whenever making departure from these Rules, it is crucially important to result successful
action.

Rule 3 General definitions

(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 and is therefore
unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. The term “vessels restricted in their ability to
manoeuvre” shall include but not be limited to:
(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or
pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while
underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations; (vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation
such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their
course.

(h) The term “vessel constrained by her draught” means a powerdriven 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.
(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.

Q: Give examples for “vessel not under command”.

A: NUC examples:
1. breakdown of engines or steering gear failure, or propeller / rudder lost.
2. vessel anchor down but not holding, vessel riding to anchor unshackled,
3. sailing vessel becalmed.

Q: What are similar causes for restricted visibility?

A: Similar causes for restricted visibility may be considered as:
• Smoke from own vessel or other vessel;
• Smog or smoke from ashore;
• Dust storms.

Rule 5 Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all
available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full
appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
Q: What are duties of look-out?
A: Duty of look-out - in open sea, to report any lights, vessels or large floating objects; - in low
visibility, to report any fog signals; - in crowded waters, to report lights or objects likely to
risk of collision. (small crafts – might not be observed from bridge)
Q: Explain about 'All available means' mentioned at Rule 6.
A: 'All available means' appropriate
- by radar or binoculars
- VHF information from shore or other ships
- use of radar at night even in clear visibility
- visual look-out still necessary even when using radar

Q: How do you understand “full appraisal of the situation”?

A: - to pay attention to what is happening on his own vessel
- to check steering gear, autopilot or gyrocompass and other navigation equipment functioning
- to check the vessel keeping on correct course.

Q: What is the bad look-out?

A: • relying on radar plotting and no visual look-out maintained;
• no monitoring on own ship's navigation equipment;
• too relying on autopilot without vigilance;
• no proper look-out when a vessel at anchor, especially in strong tidal turning or other vessels
passing by

Rule 6 Safe speed

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective
action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions. In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among
those taken into account:
(a) By all vessels:
(i) the state of visibility;
(ii) the traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
(iii) the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning
ability in the prevailing conditions;
(iv) at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter of
her own lights;
(v) the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;
(vi) the draught in relation to the available depth of water.
Q: What is advantages of safe speed?
A: If a vessel proceed at a safe speed, she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Q: Explain about proper and effective action mentioned at Rule 6.

A: • neither too high nor too low for proper and effective action in some circumstances;
• by considering loss of steerage way due to reduce speed or take all way off.

Q: What is Crash stop?

A: Crash stop means that (stop from full speed – might be taking all way off) – takes a ship
distance of 5L to 15L (L = ship's length)

Rule 7 Risk of collision

(b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range
scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic
observation of detected objects.
(c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar
information.
Q: How do you understand “all available means” mentioned in Rule 7.
A: all available means
1. visual compass bearings;
2. radar plotting;
3. clarification by VHF information for their intentions;
4. in TSS, traffic information;
5. AIS

Q: What is scanty information mentioned in Rule 7(c)?

A: scanty information is information obtained from inaccurate plotting; plotting with error in
bearing; random observation rather than regular intervals; ignorance of target's speed or course
alteration; taking bearing when rolling or pitching; relying only on radar rather than visual
bearing.
 Rule 8 Action to avoid collision
(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case
admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a
succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.
(c) If there is sufficient sea-room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to
avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not
result in another closequarters situation.
Q: How do you understand Positive action?
A: Positive action means action which must be correct and successful;

Q: Explain about alteration of course which is large enough according to Rule 8.

A: In R/V, substantial action must be readily apparent to another vessel observing by radar. (e.g.
A/C at least 30º, prefer 60º to 90º)
In sight of one another, different sidelight would be visible.

Q: How do you understand “ passing at a safe distance”.

A: Passing at a safe distance - it depends on the situation and regards as safe speed; - the fact to
be taken into account – other vessel may encounter engine or steering failure at any time.

Q: What are the intentions for reduction of speed?

A: There are two intentions: - (i) if necessary to avoid collision, or (ii) if necessary to assess the
situation

Rule 9 Narrow channels

(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the
outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a
vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating
within a narrow channel or fairway.
Q: What is Narrow Channel?
A: Narrow Channel - not easily defined, neither necessary to be definite length nor terminate last
buoys or marking. - channel between two piers & 100m outwards beyond a harbour entrance.
- sometimes approx: up to 2 miles wide - not to apply as recommended route between two
buoys, outside could be safe. - not to apply traffic lanes as TSS although it may be relatively
narrow.

Q: What is Fairway?
A: Fairway - open navigable passage of water. - channel dredged and maintained by port
authority. - marked by pecked lines on chart
Q: How do you understand “safe and practicable” mentioned at Rule 9(a).
A: Safe and practicable means: - not passing dangerously too close to the shoals; - not to make
frequent alterations of course in order to keep near outer limit of every part of the channel. -
just near outer limit as safe and practicable.

Rule 10 Traffic separation schemes

(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall: (i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in
the general direction of traffic flow for that lane; (ii) so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic
separation line or separation zone; (iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of
the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general
direction of traffic flow as practicable.
(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.
(j) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage
of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

Q: Which publication can you observe for Details of TSS adopted by IMO?
A: Details of TSS adopted by IMO can be observed on nautical charts and contained in Ship's
Routeing.

Q: What is Voluntary TSS?

A: Some governments have adopted TSS within their territorial waters, which are not officially
adopted by IMO. Such TSS is Voluntary TSS.
Q: Where can you observed details of voluntary TSS?
A: Such voluntary TSS should be observed in NP's such as Sailing Directions and their relevant
documents.
Q: Which vessels are permitted to enter inshore zones?
A: Vessels permitted to enter inshore zones: -
1. vessel proceeding en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station
or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone
2. vessel of less then 20m in length
3. sailing vessels
4. vessels engaged in fishing
5. vessels to avoid immediate danger in case of emergency

Q: Which vessels are permitted to enter separation zones?

A: Vessels permitted to enter separation zones: -
1. vessel crossing traffic lane
2. vessels joining or leaving a lane
3. vessels engaged in fishing
4. vessels to avoid immediate danger in case of emergency

Rule 13 Overtaking
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of part B, sections I and II, any vessel
overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that
this is the case and act accordingly.
Rule 14 Head-on situation
(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead
and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or
both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it
does exist and act accordingly.
Q: What are necessary conditions to be Head-on situation?
(1) There must be two power driven vessels
(2) They are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses
(3) Risk of Collision shall be involved
(4) They must be in sight of one another.
 Rule 15 Crossing situation
When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which
has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances
of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
Q: What are necessary conditions to be Crossing situation?
(1) There must be two power driven vessels
(2) They are crossing
(3) Risk of Collision shall be involved
(4) They must be in sight of one another.

Rule 16 Action by give-way vessel

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible,
take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
Q: Which vessels are Give-way vessels?
A: Give-way vessels are vessels which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel, as
required by Rules 12, 13, 15 and 18.
Rule 17 Action by stand-on vessel
(a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and
speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon
as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking
appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.

Rule 18 Responsibilities between vessels

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: (i) a vessel not under
command; (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; (iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel.
(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: (i) a vessel not under command; (ii) a
vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; (iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command; (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
Q: Which additional light is equired for WIG craft when taking-off, landing and in flight
near the surface?
A: An additional "high intensity all-round flashing red light" is required for a WIG craft when
taking-off, landing and in flight near the surface.

Rule 19 Conduct of vessels in 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.
(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.

Q: How to prepare before entering RV?

A: Preparation for entering RV (Essential 6 points)
(1). Switch-on navigation lights (Rule 20)
(2). Sound fog signals (Rule 35)
(3). Post extra look-outs – silence on deck (Rule 5)
(4). Engines stand-by – proceed at a safe speed (Rule 6 & 19(b))
(5). Operate radar – detect by radar-plotting (Rule 7&19(d))
(6). Switch Auto-to-Manual steering (if auto mode) (Rule 8)

Q: How do you understand “Close-quarters situation” ?

A:In RV, in open sea, a close-quarters situation is generally considered to begin to apply at least
2 miles in any direction forward of the beam (as a range of audibility) – sometimes may be
minimum 3 miles.