COLREG – Preventing collisions at sea

The 1972 Convention was designed to update and replace the Collision Regulations of 1960 which were adopted at the same time as the 1960 SOLAS Convention.  One of the most important innovations in the 1972 COLREG was the recognition given to traffic separation schemes – Rule 10 gives guidance in determining safe speed, the risk of collision and the conduct of vessels operating in or near traffic separation schemes. The first base such traffic separation scheme was established in the Dover Strait in 1967 and the Organization has adopted about 200 of such schemes around the global.

Technical provisions

The COLREG include 41 rules divided into six sections :

• Part A – General;
• Part B – Steering and Sailing;
• Part C – Lights and Shapes;
• Part D – Sound and Light signals;
• Part E – Exemptions; and
• Part F – Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention.

There are besides four Annexes containing :

• technical requirements concerning lights and shapes and their positioning;
• sound signalling appliances;
• additional signals for fishing vessels when operating in close proximity; and
• international distress signals.

Part A – General (Rules 1-3)

dominion 1 states that the rules apply to all vessels upon the senior high school seas and all waters connected to the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. rule 2 covers the duty of the maestro, owner and crew to comply with the rules. rule 3 includes definitions.

Part B – Steering and sailing (Rules 4-19)

Section I – Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility (Rules 4-10)

rule 4 says the section applies in any condition of visibility.
rule 5 requires that “ every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing angstrom well as by all available means appropriate in the prevail circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the position and of the risk of collision. rule 6 deals with safe speed. It requires that : “ Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe accelerate … ”. The Rule describes the factors which should be taken into account in determining dependable amphetamine. several of these refer specifically to vessels equipped with radar. The importance of using “ all available means ” is further stressed in Rule 7 covering gamble of collision, which warns that “ assumptions shall not be made on the basis of bare information, specially bare radar information ” convention 8 covers action to be taken to avoid collision. In Rule 9 a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow groove or fairway is obliged to keep “ as near to the extinct limit of the impart or fairway which lies on her starboard slope as is safe and operable. ” The same Rule obliges a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel not to impede the passage of a vessel “ which can safely navigate only within a narrow groove or fairway. ” The Rule besides forbids ships to 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 entail “ not to impede ” was classified by an amendment to Rule 8 in 1987. A new paragraph ( farad ) was added, stressing that a vessel which was required not to impede the passage of another vessel should take early natural process to allow sufficient sea room for the dependable passage of the early vessel. such vessel was obliged to fulfil this duty besides when taking avoiding action in accord with the guide and sail rules when risk of collision exists. Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations deals with the behavior of vessels in or near dealings separation schemes adopted by the Organization. By SOLAS regulation V/8, IMO is recognized as being the lone administration competent to deal with international measures concerning the route of ships. The effectiveness of traffic interval schemes can be judged from a study made by the International Association of Institutes of Navigation ( IAIN ) in 1981. This showed that between 1956 and 1960 there were 60 collisions in the Strait of Dover ; twenty years later, following the introduction of traffic interval schema, this entire was cut to only 16. In other areas where such schemes did not exist the number of collisions rose aggressively. New dealings separation schemes are introduced regularly and existing ones are amended when necessary to respond to changed traffic conditions. To enable this to be done vitamin a quickly as possible the MSC has been authorized to adopt and amend traffic separation schemes on behalf of the Organization. rule 10 states that ships crossing dealings lanes are required to do so “ arsenic about as feasible at right angles to the general focus of traffic flow. ” This reduces confusion to other ships as to the crossing vessel ‘s intentions and course and at the lapp time enables that vessel to cross the lane a quickly as possible. fishing vessels “ shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a dealings lane ” but are not banned from fishing. This is in line with Rule 9 which states that “ a vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a specialize impart or fairway. “ In 1981 the regulations were amended. Two new paragraphs were added to Rule 10 to exempt vessels which are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre “ when engaged in an operation for the safety of navigation in a traffic separation schema ” or when engaged in cable put. In 1987 the regulations were again amended. It was stressed that Rule 10 applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization ( IMO ) and does not relieve any vessel of her debt instrument under any early dominion. It was besides to clarify that if a vessel is obliged to cross traffic lanes it should do indeed a closely as feasible at justly angles to the general direction of the dealings flow. In 1989 Regulation 10 was further amended to clarify the vessels which may use the “ inshore traffic zone. ”

Section II – Conduct of vessels in sight of one another (Rules 11-18)

predominate 11 says the section applies to vessels in sight of one another. rule 12 states action to be taken when two sailing vessels are approaching one another. rule 13 covers overtaking – the overtake vessel should keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. rule 14 deals with frontal situations. Crossing situations are covered by Rule 15 and action to be taken by the give-way vessel is laid down in Rule 16. principle 17 deals with the action of the stand-on vessel, including the planning that the stand-on vessel may “ take carry through to avoid collision by her tactic alone a soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the direction is not taking appropriate action. rule 18 deals with responsibilities between vessels and includes requirements for vessels which shall keep out of the way of others .

Section III – Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility (Rule 19)

rule 19 states every vessel should proceed at a dependable speed adapted to prevailing circumstances and restricted visibility. A vessel detection by radar another vessel should determine if there is risk of collision and if so take avoiding legal action. A vessel hearing daze signal of another vessel should reduce accelerate to a minimum .

Part C – Lights and shapes (Rules 20-31)

rule 20 states rules concerning lights apply from sunset to sunrise. govern 21 gives definitions. principle 22 covers visibility of lights – indicate that lights should be visible at minimum ranges ( in nautical miles ) determined according to the type of vessel. rule 23 covers lights to be carried by power-driven vessels afoot. rule 24 covers lights for vessels towing and pushing. dominion 25 covers sparkle requirements for sailing vessels afoot and vessels under oars. principle 26 covers light up requirements for fishing vessels. rule 27 covers light requirements for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. govern 28 covers light requirements for vessels constrained by their draft. convention 29 covers light requirements for fly vessels. dominion 30 covers ignite requirements for vessels anchored and aground. rule 31 covers faint requirements for seaplanes

Part D – Sound and light signals (Rules 32-37)

rule 32 gives definitions of whistle, short circuit fire, and prolonged good time. rule 33 says vessels 12 metres or more in duration should carry a whistle and a bell and vessels 100 metres or more in length should carry in addition a gong. rule 34 covers manoeuvring and warning signals, using whistle or lights. principle 35 covers fathom signals to be used in restrict visibility. convention 36 covers signals to be used to attract attention. govern 37 covers distress signals .

Part E – Exemptions

rule 38 says ships which comply with the 1960 Collision Regulations and were built or already under structure when the 1972 Collision Regulations entered into pull may be exempted from some requirements for light and sound signals for specified periods .

Part F – Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention (Rules 39-41)

Rules 39 to 41 were added to allow the Organization ‘s confirmation of conformity under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.

Annexes

The COLREG include four annexes :

• 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 sounds signal appliances
• Annex IV – Distress signals, which lists the signals indicating distress and need of assistance.

Annexes I and IV were amended in 1987 to clarify the position of certain lights carried on smaller vessels and to add “ approved signals transmitted by radiocommunications systems ” ( i straiten alerts transmitted in the GMDSS ). A section on location signals from search and rescue radar transponders was added in 1993 .

History of amendments

The 1981 amendments (resolution A.464(XII))

• Adoption: 19 November 1981
• Entry into force: 1 June 1983

A number of rules are affected but possibly the most authoritative deepen concerns rule 10, which has been amended to enable vessels carrying out diverse safety operations, such as dredging or surveying, to carry out these functions in traffic separation schemes.

The 1987 amendments (resolution A.626(15))

• Adoption: 19 November 1987
• Entry into force: 19 November 1989

The amendments affect several rules, including convention 1 ( vitamin e ) ? vessels of limited construction : the amendment classifies the application of the Convention to such ships ; Rule 3 ( h ), which defines a vessel constrained by her blueprint ; Rule 10 ( cytosine ) ? crossing traffic lanes.

The 1989 amendments (resolution A.678(16))

• Adoption: 19 October 1989
• Entry into force: 19 April 1991

The amendment concerns Rule 10 and is designed to stop unnecessary use of the inshore traffic zone .

The 1993 amendments (resolution A.736(18))

• Adoption: 4 November 1993
• Entry into force: 4 November 1995

The amendments are by and large concerned with the placement of lights.

The 2001 amendments (resolution A.910(22))

• Adoption: 29 November 2001
• Entry into force: 29 November 2003

The amendments include new rules relating to Wing-in Ground ( WIG ) trade. The following are amended :

• g eneral Definitions ( Rule 3 ) – to provide the definition of wing-in-ground ( WIG ) craft ;
• Action to avoid collision (Rule 8 (a)) – to make it clear that any action to avoid collision should be taken in accordance with the relevant rules in the COLREG and to link Rule 8 with the other steering and sailing rules;
• Responsibilities between ve ssels ( Rule 18 ) – to include a prerequisite that a WIG craft, when taking off, landing and in fledge near the open, shall keep open of all other vessels and avoid impeding their seafaring and besides that a WIG trade operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules as for a power-driven vessel ;
• power-driven vessels afoot ( Rule 23 ) – to include a necessity that WIG craft shall, in accession to the lights prescribed in paragraph 23 ( a ) of the Rule, exhibit a high-intensity all-around flash red light when taking off, landing and in-flight near the surface ;
• Seaplanes ( Rule 31 ) – to include a provision for WIG craft ;
• equipment for sound signals and sound signals in restricted visibility ( Rules 33 and 35 ) – to cater for small vessels ;
• Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes ( Annex I ) – amendments with respect to high-speed craft ( relating to the vertical separation of masthead lights ) ; and
• Technical details of sound signal appliances (Annex III) – amendments with respect to whistles and bell or gong to cater for small vessels.

The 2007 amendments (resolution A.1004(25))

• Adoption: 29 November 2007
• Entry into force: 1 December 2009

Annex IV is replaced as follows : “ Annex IV straiten signals 1 The follow signals, used or exhibited either together or individually, argue distress and need of aid : ( a ) a grease-gun or other explosive signals fired at intervals of about a minute ; ( b-complex vitamin ) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus ; ( carbon ) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals ; ( vitamin d ) a signal made by any signalling method acting consist of the group … — – … ( SOS ) in the Morse Code ; ( east ) a signal sent by radiotelephone consist of the talk word “ MAYDAY ” ; ( degree fahrenheit ) the International Code Signal of straiten indicated by N.C. ; ( gram ) a signal consist of a square iris having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball ; ( heat content ) flames on the vessel ( as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc. ) ; ( one ) a rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare show a crimson clean ; ( j ) a smoke signal giving off orange-colored smoke ; ( k ) lento and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side ; ( l ) a distress alert by means of digital selective calling ( DSC ) transmitted on : ( iodine ) VHF channel 70, or ( two ) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kilohertz, 4207.5 kilohertz, 6312 kilohertz, 12577 kilohertz or 16804.5 kHz ; ( m ) a ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ship ‘s Inmarsat or other mobile satellite service provider ship earth station ; ( newton ) signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons ; ( o ) approved signals transmitted by radiocommunications systems, including survival craft radar transponders.2 The habit or exhibition of any of the forfeit signals, except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of aid and the function of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals, is prohibited. 3 Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, volume III and the follow signals :

( a ) a part of orange-colored sail with either a black square and encircle or other appropriate symbol ( for identification from the atmosphere ) ; ( b ) a dye marker. ”

The 2013 amendments (resolution A.1085(28))

• Adoption: 4 December 2013
• Entry into force: 1 January 2016

After existing separate E ( Exemptions ), a new share F ( Verification of submission with the provisions of the Convention ) is added in arrange for the Organization to make necessary verifications under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme .