INTERNATIONAL

REGULATIONS FOR
PREVENTING COLLISION AT
SEA

Validated by: Dennis Dumoran

Program Chair BSMT
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

On successful completion of this course students

will be able to:

1: interpret properly the content, and intent of

Rules of the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as
amended and use as the basis to avoid
collision.
 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR
PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA

Part A: General
Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules
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
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
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR
PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA

Part A. General

• Rule 1- Application
• Rule 2- Responsibility
• Rule 3- General Definitions
 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR
PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA

PART B : STEERING AND SAILING RULES

Section I: Conduct of vessels in any condition of

visibility
•Rule 4- Application
•Rule 5- Look-out
•Rule 6- Safe Speed
•Rule 7- Risk of Collision
•Rule 8- Action to Avoid Collision
•Rule 9- Narrow Channels
•Rule 10- Traffic Separation Schemes
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA

Section II: Conduct of vessels in sight of one

another

Rule 11 - Application
Rule 12 - Sailing vessels
Rule 13 - Overtaking
Rule 14 - Head-on situation
Rule 15 - Crossing situation
Rule 16 - Action by give-way vessel
Rule 17 - Action by stand-on vessel
Rule 18 - Responsibilities between vessels
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA

Section III: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Rule 19 - Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA
PART C : LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 20 - Application
Rule 21 - Definitions
Rule 22 - Visibility of lights
Rule 23 - Power-driven vessels underway
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
Rule 25 - Sailing vessels underway and vessels
under oars
Rule 26 - Fishing vessels
Rule 27 - Vessels not under command or restricted in
their ability to manueuver
Rule 28 - Vessels constrained by their draught
Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Rule 30 - Anchored vessels and vessels aground
Rule 31 - Seaplanes
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA

PART D : SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS

Rule 32 - Definitions
Rule 33 - Equipment for sound signals
Rule 34 - Manoeuvering and warning signals
Rule 35 - Sound signals in restricted visibility
Rule 36 - Signals to attract attention
Rule 37 - Distress signals

PART E : EXEMPTIONS
Rule 38 - Exemptions
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING
COLLISION AT SEA

PART F – VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE
CONVENTION

Rule 39 - Definitions
Rule 40 - Application
Rule 41 - Verification of compliance
 Part A. General

Rule I. Application
(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon
the high seas and in all waters connected
therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.
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.
Rule 3: General Definitions
For the purpose of these Rules, except where the
context otherwise requires.

(a) The word "vessel" includes every description

of water craft, including non-displacement 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.
Rule 3: General Definitions

(d) The term" vessel engaged in fishing" means

any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other
fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability but
does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or

other fishing apparatus which do not restrict

maneuverability.

(e) The word "seaplane" includes any aircraft

designed to maneuver on the water.

(f) The term "vessel not under command"

means a vessel which through some exceptional
circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by
these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of
(g) The term ‘vessel’ restricted in her ability to maneuver" means a
vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her
ability to maneuver 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 maneuver shall include but
not 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 on 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 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.
PART B - STEERING AND SAILING RULES

Section I - Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of

Visibility

RULE 4
Application

Rules in this Section apply in any condition of visibility.

 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.
 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 maneuverability of the vessel with special
reference to stopping distance and turning
ability in the prevailing conditions
 RULE 6
Safe Speed

(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.
 RULE 6
Safe Speed

(b) Additionally, by vessel with operational radar:

(i) the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the

radar equipment;
(ii) any constraints imposed by the radar range scale

in use;
(iii) the effect on radar detection of the sea state,
weather and other sources of interference;
 RULE 6
Safe Speed

(iv) the possibility that small vessels, ice and other

floating objects, may not be detected by radar at
an adequate range;
(v) the number, location and movement of vessels
detected by radar;
(vi) the more exact assessment of the visibility that
may be possible when radar is used to
determine the range of vessels or other objects
in the vicinity.
 RULE 7
Risk of Collision

(a) 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.
(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.
 RULE 7
Risk of Collision

(d) In determining if risk of collision exists the

following considerations shall be among those
taken into account:

(i) such risk shall be deemed to exist if the

compass bearing of an approaching vessel
does not appreciably change;
(ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when
an appreciable bearing change is evident,
particularly when approaching a very large
vessel or a tow or when approaching a
vessel at close range.
 RULE 8
Action to Avoid Collision

(a)Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in

accordance with the rules of this Part and, if the
circumstances of the case admit, be positive,
made in ample time and with due regard
to the observance of good seamanship.

(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.
 RULE 8
Action to Avoid Collision.

(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 close-quarters situation.

(d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel

shall be such as to result in passing at a safe
distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be
carefully checked until the other vessel is
finally past and clear.
 RULE 8
Action to Avoid Collision.

(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time

to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her
speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing
her means of propulsion.

(f) (i) A vessel which, by any of these rules, is

required not to impede the passage or safe
passage of another vessel shall, when
required by the circumstances of the case,
take early action to allow sufficient sea room
for the safe passage of the other vessel.
 RULE 8
Action to Avoid Collision.

(ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage

or safe passage of another vessel is not
relieved of this obligation if approaching the
other vessel so as to involve risk of collision
and shall, when taking action, have full regard
to the action which may be required by the
rules of this Part.

(iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be

impeded remains fully obliged to comply with
the rules of this part when the two vessels are
approaching one another so as to involve risk
of collision.
 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 Iies on her
starboard side as is safe and practicable.

(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters 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.
 Rule 9
Narrow Channels

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the

passage of any other vessel navigating within a
narrow channel or fairway.

(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway

if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel
which can safely navigate only within such channel
or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound
signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the
intention of the crossing vessel.
 RULE 10
Traffic Separation Schemes

(a)This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes

adopted by the Organization and does not relieve
any vessel of her obligation under any other rule.

(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 lane as
practicable.
(c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing
traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a
heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to
the general direction of traffic flow.
(d)
(i) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when

she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane

within the adjacent traffic separation scheme.
However, vessels of less than 20 meters in length,
sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing
may use the inshore traffic zone.
(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (d)(i), a vessel may

use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or

from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot
station or any other place situated within the
(d)
(i) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when

she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane

within the adjacent traffic separation scheme.
However, vessels of less than 20 meters in length,
sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing
may use the inshore traffic zone.

(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (d)(i), a vessel may

use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or

from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot
station or any other place situated within the
inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.
(h) A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall
avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.

(j) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing

vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-
driven vessel following a traffic lane.