COLREGS Flashcards
(16 cards)
COLREG 4
Rules apply to any visibility conditions.
COLREG 5
Look out: “Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight, hearing and all available means to make full appraisal of situation and risk of collision.
COLREG 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.” Takes into account visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, sea state and weather, background lights etc.
Think: 6th gear
COLREG 7
Risk of collision: “Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.”
Think of lucky number 7: don’t leave collision to luck.
COLREG 8
Action to avoid collision: if taking action to avoid collision it must be:
i. Taken accordance with the rules and in good seamanship
ii. Any alteration of course should be big enough to be readily apparent to other vessels.
iii. Slow down if necessary.
Think of a figure of 8 of a boat swerving to avoid others.
COLREG 9
Narrow channels: stick to starboard as shallow as you can. Fishing or sailing vessels should not impede the movement of a vessel that is constrained by draft. If crossing use sound signal 34(d): 5 short blasts, if overtaking 34(c)I: Two long and then one short for starboard or one short for port side overtake. Avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
‘N’ine: ‘N’arrow
COLREG 10
TSS: Traffic separation schemes.
i. Stay in the correct lane
ii. Stay away from the separation line.
iii. Join at as small an angle from the traffic direction as possible
iv. Cross at right angles
Smaller vessels, sailboats and those fishing can use the inshore zone, but larger vessels obliged to use TSS unless turning in for harbour.
Think: 1|0 like two lanes. Also first number with two numbers.
COLREG 11
This section applies to vessels in sight of each other.
COLREG 12
Sailing regs:
i. Starboard tacked vessel is stand on in head on
ii. Windward gives way to leeward on same side
iii. If you are port tacked and you are not sure what tack the other vessel is on - give way.
Think of the ‘12’ as a billowing sail.
COLREG 13
Overtaking:
i. Overtaking vessel must give way and give sufficient room.
ii. If you can see either side light you are not technically overtaking. You have to be 22.5 degrees or less abaft the overtaken vessels beam. If in doubt assume you’re overtaking.
Think 13 - unlucky for some, don’t get this wrong!
COLREG 14
Head on:
i. Pass each other to starboard.
ii. If in doubt assume that rule 14 is in play.
COLREG 15
Crossing:
i. The vessel crossing you from starboard is stand on, and looking at your green navigation light.
ii. Where possible avoid crossing ahead of the vessel to starboard, duck behind it.
Think: right is always ‘right’: give way.
COLREG 16
Action by the 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.
COLREG 17
Action by the stand on vessel:
i. Keep your course and speed
ii. As soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action, stand on vessel should take action to avoid collision.
COLREG 18
Pecking order:
- Power gives way to:
i. NUC
ii. Vessel with restricted ability to manoeuvre
iii. Vessel fishing
iv. Sailing vessel - Sail gives way to
i. NUC
ii. Vessel with restricted ability to manoeuvre
iii. Vessel fishing - Fishing gives way to:
i. NUC
ii. Vessel with restricted ability to manoeuvre
All vessels except NUC or constrained in ability to manoeuvre, avoid impeding vessels constrained by draft.
Seaplanes give way and avoid all other traffic.
