1. Rules of The Road
Review

2. Navigation Rules
Purpose and Scope
Applicable reading: USCG ROR.

3. Purpose of Scope of the
Rules of the Road
Sources:
– 1972 COLREGS (International Rules)
Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea
Amended in 1983, 1989, 1991 by the IMO
– 1980 Navigation Rules Act (Inland Rules)
Applies exclusively to US inland waters
NOTE: Navigation Rules have the force of law.

4. Rule 1(a): Applicability
Nav Rules apply based upon a vessel’s
location.
– COLREGS Line of Demarcation
• “These rules shall
apply to all vessels
upon the high seas
and in all waters
connected therewith
navigable by
seagoing vessels.”

5. Rule 2: Responsibility
“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 seaman.”
General Prudential Rule: the mariner is responsible not
only for complying with the Rules but also for avoiding a
collision.
Special Situations
In extremis situations

6. Special Situations
(not covered by the Rules)

7. Rule 3: General Definitions
Vessel Underway
– Power driven vessel – Making way
– Sailing vessel – Not making way
Special Conditions
Vessel engaged in fishing
Not under command
Restricted in ability to maneuver
Constrained by draft (int’l rules only)

8. Rule 3: Definitions
Vessel
Vessel: includes every description of water craft
used or capable of being used as a means on
transportation on water.
• Includes:
– Power-driven vessels
– Sailboats
– Seaplanes
– Non-displacement craft
• “Power driven vessel”

9. Rule 3: Definitions
Vessel engaged in fishing
Vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel
fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing
apparatus which restrict maneuverability.
• Does NOT include:
– Vessel engaged in trolling.

10. Rule 3: Definitions
Vessel not under command
Vessel not under command means a vessel
which through some exceptional circumstances
is unable to maneuver to comply with the Rules.
• Examples:
– Propulsion casualty
– Steering casualty

11. Rule 3: Definitions
Vessel restricted in ability to
maneuver
Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver means a
vessel which from the nature of her work is
unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
• Examples:
– Laying navaids
– Dredging/Surveying
– UNREP
– Flight Ops
– Mineclearance Ops

12. Rule 3: Definitions
Vessel constrained by draft
Vessel constrained by draft means a power
driven vessel which, because of her draft in
relation to the available depth is severely
restricted in her ability to deviate from her
present course.

13. Rule 3: Definitions
Underway, Not-underway

14. Rule 3: Definitions
Restricted Visibility

15. Lights and Dayshapes
AGENDA:
– Rule #20/21 Application and Definitions
– Rule #22 Visibility of Lights
– Rule #23 Power Driven Vessels Underway
– Rule #24 Towing and Pushing
– Rule #25 Sailing Vessels
– Rule #26 Fishing Vessels
– Rule #27 Vessels not under command / restricted in ability …
– Rule #28 Vessels constrained by draft
– Rule #29 Pilot vessels
– Rule #30 Vessels aground/at anchor

16. Rule 20: Application
of Lights and Dayshapes
Lights shall be displayed:
– From sunset to sunrise
– In conditions of restricted visibility
– In all other circumstances when deemed appropriate
Purpose of Lights and Dayshapes:
– Helps determine stand on/give way status.
– Indicates the occupation of certain vessels.
– Aids in the determination of target angle and course.

17. Rule 21:Definitions
Rule 22: Visibility of Lights
Min Ranges
TYPE OF LIGHT COLOR ARC 50M+ 12-50M
Masthead white 225 6 nm 5 nm
Sidelight red/green 112.5 3 nm 2 nm
Sternlight white 135 3 nm 2 nm
Towing yellow 135 3 nm 2 nm
All around various 360 3 nm 2 nm
Flashing yellow/blue 360 3 nm 2 nm
Range Light - refers to the second masthead light placed aft and
higher than the forward masthead light (>50 m)
Flashing Light - flashes at regular intervals at 120 hz. Found on
surfaced sub’s and non-displacement craft in the non-
displacement mode.

18. Rule 21:Definitions
Rule 22: Visibility of Lights

19. Rule 23: Power-Driven
Vessels
Power Driven vessels underway
– Vessel > 50 m
– Vessel < 50 m
– Vessel < 12 m
– Vessel < 7 m

20. Rule 24: Towing and Pushing
TOWING ASTERN
Vessel < 50 m Tow < 200 m
Vessel < 50 m Tow > 200 m
Vessel > 50 m Tow < 200 m
Vessel > 50 m Tow > 200 m
COMPOSITE UNIT
PUSHING AHEAD/ALONGSIDE
Vessel > 50 m International, Inland
Vessel < 50 m International, Inland
TOWING and RESTRICTED IN ABILITY TO MANEUVER
“LIGHTING THE TOW”

21. Rule 25: Sailing Vessels

22. Rule 26: Fishing Vessels

23. Rule 27: Vessels
Not Under Command

24. Rule 27: Vessels Restricted in their
Ability to Maneuver

25. Rule 28: Vessels Constrained
by Draft (Inl’t Only)

26. Rule 29: Pilot Vessel

27. Rule 30: Vessels Anchored
and Vessels Aground

28. Steering and Sailing Rules
– Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of
Visibility
Rule #6 - Safe Speed
Rule #7 - Risk of Collision
Rule #8 - Action to Avoid Collision
Rule #9 - Narrow Channels
Rule #10 - Traffic Separation Schemes

29. Rule 4: Application
Rule 5: Look-out
Application (Rule 4) - Rules in this section
apply in Any condition of visibility.
Look-out (Rule 5)
– Maintain Proper Lookout
– Use all available means
Must use sight and hearing
Binoculars/Radar
Bearing circle/Alidade
Night vision devices
– Also required at anchor

30. Rule 6: Safe Speed
Determinants of Safe Speed
– Draft of vessel in relation to charted depth
– Stopping distance and turning ability
– Presence of background lighting
– State of winds, sea, and current
– State of visibility
– Traffic density

31. Rule 7: Risk of Collision
Risk of Collision (Rule 7)
– Every vessel shall use all available means to
determine if risk of collision exists.
Early use of RADAR
Systematic observation
Such risk is deemed to
exist if the compass bearing
of an approaching vessel
does not appreciably change.

32. Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
Any action taken to avoid collision shall … be
positive, made in ample time, and with due
regard to the observance of good seamanship.
– Action taken must be positive and timely.
Action taken to avoid collision with another
vessel shall result in passing at a safe distance.
The effectiveness of the action
shall be carefully checked until the
vessel is passed and clear.

33. Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
Two variables can be altered to avoid collision:
course and speed.
– Change course to avoid
“close-quarter situations”.
– Slacken speed or take all way
to allow more time to assess
the situation.
Escape clause:
“if the circumstances of the case admit”

34. Rule 9: Narrow Channels
Narrow Channels (Rule 9)
– Stay on the “right” side of the channel
– Sailing vessels and vessels < 20 meters
shall not impede vessels restricted to the
channel.
– Fishing vessels shall not
impede other vessels.
– Crossing vessels shall not
impede other vessels.

35. Rule 10: Traffic Separation
Schemes
Traffic Separation schemes my be adopted by
the IMO for the purpose of these Rules.
– Use small angle of approach
to enter/depart.
– Cross the scheme at right
angles.
– You can fish in the lanes as
long as you do not impede
passage of the other vessels.

36. Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule #12 - Sailing Vessels
Approach Situations
– Rule #13 - Overtaking
– Rule #14 - Meeting
– Rule #15 - Crossing
Rule #16 - Action by the Give-way Vessel
Rule #17 - Action by the Stand-on Vessel
Rule #18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels

37. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Rule 12: Sailing Vessels

38. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Rule 12: Sailing Vessels

39. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Rule 13: Overtaking
Rule 13 requires the overtaking vessel to keep out of the
way of the vessel being passed.
An overtaking situation exists when a vessel approaches
An overtaking situation exists when a vessel approaches another
vessel more than 22.5deg abaft the beam.

40. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Rule 14: Meeting Situation
Rule 14 requires both power vessels to maneuver to
starboard.
An overtaking situation exists when a vessel approaches
A meeting situation exists if two power vessels approach on
reciprocal or near reciprocal courses.

41. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Rule 15: Crossing Situation
Rule 15 requires the vessel that has the other on its
starboard side to keep clear.
An overtaking situation exists when a vessel approaches
At night the stand-on vessel sees the green sidelight of the give-
way vessel, and the give-way vessel sees the red sidelight of the
stand-on vessel.

42. Rules 16/17: Action by Give-way
and Stand-on Vessels
Give-way:
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.
Stand-on:
Where one of two vessels
is to keep out of the way
the other vessel shall keep
her course and speed.

43. Rule 18: Responsibilities Between
Vessels (Order of Precedence)
Vessel being overtaken
Vessel not under command or
Restricted in ability to maneuver
Vessel constrained by draft
Vessel engaged in fishing
Sailing vessels
Power driven vessels
Seaplanes

44. Rules 13-15: Vessels in Sight and
in Risk of Collision (Review)
HEAD ON OVERTAKING CROSSING
Description Meeting on Overtaking another Two vessels
reciprocal courses, vessel more than crossing, risk of
masthead lights in 22.5 abaft the beam, collision exists.
line, both sidelights at night only the
visible. sternlight visible.
Action Both vessels turn to Overtaking vessel The vessel which
starboard to pass keeps out of the way holds the other
port-to-port. on the overtaken on her starboard
vessel. must keep out of
the way of the
stand-on vessel.

45. Homework
Review and Be Familiar with the Rules of
The Road