COLREG GUIDE BY P&I.PDF

il I |,

a e I |. |'

I I I

I I I I il.

a t t a

Ei-

I

l I

\ .

\

'.i11

\ .\,\

I

I

Foreword lntroduction Rule5

Look Out!

Rule6

Watch your Speed!

Rule7

Watch that Ship!

Rule8

Do Somethingand do it EarlY!

Rutet0

Traffic SeparationLanesare not Rightsof Way!

Rule 13

LeaveAmple Room!

Rulel4

ShipAhead!

Rule /5

Watch Vesselsto Starboard!

Rule 16

Keep Everybody Happyl

Rule17

ls SheAltering?

Rutel9

RestrictedVisibility ChangesEverything!

3 5 7 9 tl t3 t5 t7 t9 2l 23 75

i I

i

i

i

I

{-

:l

t :1

=r. il

t il il il il |'

I I I I l

t I I

t t

r il

r r r I

t

FOREWORD by Captain R B Middleton FNI President The Nautical Institute.

The confidentialmarine accidentreports which we publisheach month in our journal SEAWAYS have indicatedthat marinersare frequentlyconfronted with hazardoussituationsrelatingto the COLREGS. To investigatethe problemsThe NauticalInstituteinitiatedin 2002 an internationalsurvey amongstseagoingofficersto enquire if they thought there was a problem, what the causes could be and to suggestsolutions. The results were alarming with nearly 50oloof the respondents stating that in their view the problemswere causedby ignoranceand wilful disregardof the rules. However respondentsalsodrew attention to other factors like distractionsdue to GMDSSfalse alarms,VHF chafter,VTS reporting,and paperwork. When it came to solutionsrespondentshighlightedboth the need to improve the educationand trainingof watchkeepingofficersand better supervisionby senior officerson board. Undoubtedly we all have to work to improve standardsof bridge watchkeeping and this thoughtfulguide produced by the North of EnglandP&l Club is an excellenrplaceto start. Oflicers can work through a pageat a time discussingthe elementswith colleaguesand relating the contents to the full form of the rules. For experienced officers there is an opportunity to work through the text r, " ,"fru.h". "nd to use the booklet as a trainingaid when coachingjunior officersand cadetson watch. It is our duty as nautical professionalsto ensure that we are responsible at all times for the safe navigationof our shipsand this booklet providesa valuabletext to re-establishgood practice.

I I

il€

!

I I CONVENTIONON THE INTERNATIONAL REGUIATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLTSTONS AT SEA,t972 (COLREGS) This guide is basedon the COLREGSposter seriesproduced by the North of EnglandP&l Association'sRiskManagementDepartment between 2001 and 2004. The aim of these posters is not to provide an all encompassingguide to the Rulesbut to dispel some frequent misunderstandings and misinterpretationsof the most widely used Rulesand to provide a graphicillustrationof the correct stepsto decipher and to apply the Regulations. While it is vital to know the contents of the Regulations,simply being able to recite them verbatim is no substitutefor knowing how to apply them. A coherent full working knowledge of the text and its applicationis vitalThe UK Marine Accident InvestigationBranchhasstressedthe importanceof Rule2 and their concern that this vital Ruleis so often overlooked. Rule2 - Responsibiliry (o) Nothing in these Rulessho/l exonerdteony vessel,or the owner,mosteror crew thereof,from the consequences of ony neglectto comply with these Ru/esor of neglectof ony precoutionwhich moy be requiredby the ordinoryproctice of seoman,or by the speciolcircumstoncesof the case. (b) ln construingond complyingwith theseRulesdue regord shollbe had to oll dongersof novigation ond collisionond to ony specialcircumstances,includingthe limitationsofthe vesselsinvolved, which moy moke o deporturefrom theseRu/esnecessoryto ovoidimmediatedonger. This fundamentalfeature of the COLREGShighlightsthe fact that you, the manners,are responsiblefor your own actionsand you haveto comply with the Ruleswhile ensuringthat you take all precautionsof the ordinary practiceof seafarers- there is no substitutefor the applicationof common senseon the seas.

r3

I I I

I T I I I I I I I I I I I I T I I I T ! L

=I

:r til il

il il il il I ilil, il, il |.

I |.

I I il L il il

r il il il L |.

"lmproving the applicationof the COLREGS"survey,it was During the NauticalInstitute's "uncertainty", noted by the late Captain FranEoisBaillodFNl, that reported incidentsrelated to "disregard "ignorance","poor "violations" for the COLREGS".While many cited knowledge and "lack of the COLREGS",or of training" as reasonsfor the poor and ineffectiveapplicationof the Regulations. were devisedto make the navigationof shipssafer- however we The CollisionRegulations must remember they are alsothe law and all should observethem. There can be no excusesThis guide is ignoranceis no defenceand if you disobeythese laws there will be consequences. intendedto provide a reminder of the Rulesand the processesthat should be appliedin making them work. Huch of the guidancetext has been provided by Captain Roger Symswho has enthusiastically embracedthe idea of providingan easyto use guide to the COLREGSin conjunctionwith the originalNonh of Englandposter series.This project hasalso been able to make use of the experiencesexpressedthrough the NauticalInstitute'ssurveyinto the COLREGS. The North of Englandalso acknowledgeswith thanks, the contribution and suggestionsof dte UK MarineAccident InvestigationBranchon the conceptualideasbehindthe proiect.

Everyvessesha at al t mes ma nta n a prope. ook-out by siSht and hea fg aswel as by all avalablemeansapproprlaten the preval ng

cumstances and condirons so asto ma