Collision Regulations - Colregs

Front 1

Rule 1: Application
Section 1

Back 1

Rules apply to everyone.
All high seas and connected waters navigable by seagoing vessels. Local authority and government rules take precedence.

Front 2

Rule 2: Responsibility
Section 1

Back 2

There is no exoneration for collision. There is no right of way.
Have due regard to special conditions.

Front 3

Rule 3: General Definitions
Section 1

Back 3

Vessel = all craft including seaplanes, sailing, power, fishing, NUC, RAM, CBD, ACV, WIG.
Underway, restricted visibility.
NB Tugs / tows.

Front 4

Rule 5 Look-out
Section 1

Back 4

A good look-out must be maintained at all times by sight and hearing and by all available means, including radar if available.

Front 5

Rule 6 Safe speed
Section 1

Back 5

Shall proceed at safe speed for visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, background shore lights, wind, sea state, current, draught, depth, hazards, and constraints of radar (scale, sea state, weather, small vessels & objects not visible, Number & movement of small vessels, more exact assessment.

Front 6

Rule 7 Risk of Collision
Section 1

Back 6

Use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists. If in doublt risk exists
Use radar if available. Assumptions not made on scanty radar information.
Risk Exists if - compass bearing of approaching vessel does not change appreciably.

Front 7

Rule 8 Action to avoid collision
Section 1

Back 7

Action Must be positive (clear) and in ample time.
Course alteration to avoid collision shall be large and apparent. Avoid crossing ahead.
Consider any further danger and navigational implications. Good seamanship.

Front 8

Rule 9 Narrow Channels
Section 1

Back 8

Navigate on the starboard side of channel.
Sailing or < 20m must not impede vessels which can navigate safely only within the channel. Fishing shall not impede other vessels. Avoid anchoring.
Sharp bends - long blast.
Overtaking vessels must indicate their intention if the overtaken vessel would have to take action.

Front 9

Rule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes
Section 1

Back 9

Proceed in correct direction.
Keep clear of TSS line and take care at terminations.
Join/leave at terminations, or at as small an angle as possible.
Avoid crossing or head at 90°. Use inshore zone only if cannot safely use offshore zone, or sailing or < 20m. Use separation zone only in emergency or if fishing, joining or crossing.
Avoid anchoring.
Fishing, sailing or < 20m shall not impede others
RAM for TSS repair or cable laying exempt.

Front 10

Rule 12 Sailing
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 10

Wind on port side gives way to wind on starboard side.
Same side - vessel to windward gives way.
If unsure and you have wind to port then give way.

Front 11

Rule 13 Overtaking - all vessels
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 11

Highest priority rule.
Overtaking vessel gives way.
If in doubt act as if overtaking.
Overtaking when initially approaching from > 22.5° abaft the beam (in arc of stern light).

Front 12

Rule 14 Head on - Power
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 12

Alter course to starboard.
Make sound signal.
If in doubt act.
Head on - if masthead lights nearly in line or both sidelights can be seen.

Front 13

Rule 15 Crossing - Power
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 13

Crossing power vessel gives way to power vessel on starboard side. Avoid crossing ahead.

Front 14

Rule 16 Give way vessel
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 14

As Rule 8.
Early and substantial action is required.

Front 15

Rule 17 Stand on vessel
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Back 15

Shall keep course and speed but may take action if necessary and avoid collision. In crossing situation, should generally not alter course to port.

Front 16

Rule 18 Responsibilities
Section 2 - Vessels in Sight of one another

Except where rule 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require

Back 16

Give way order: Only applies when underway.
Power keeps out of way - NUC, RAM, Fishing, Sailing
Sailing keeps out of way - NUC, RAM, Fishing
Fishing keeps out of way - NUC, RAM
NUC & RAM avoid CBD if possible
CBD will navigate with respect to her condition
Seaplane keeps out of way of everyone

Front 17

Rule 19 Restricted visibility
Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Back 17

(Vessels not in sight). Safe speed, engines ready. Reduce speed or stop for fog signals heard forward of the beam. If using radar,
turn to starboard for those forward of the beam (unless overtaking),
or turn away from those abeam or abaft the beam.

Front 18

Rule 20 Lights and Shapes
Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Back 18

Applies in all weathers. Lights to be shown from sunset to sunrise or when necessary. Shapes to be shown by day.

Front 19

Rule 21 Light Definitions
Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Back 19

Masthead W 225º, sidelights G/R 112.5º, sternlights W 135º, towing light (Yellow stern), all round - 360º, flashing (120 fpm).

Front 20

Rule 23 Power Vessel underway

Back 20

Masthead light forward. Second masthead light to stern and higher (<50m long may omit).
Sidelights and sternlights.
Air Cushion Vessel - 360º Fl Yellow. Wing In Ground - 360º Fl Red.
< 12m may use all round white and sidelights
< 7m and < 7 knots may use 360º white, and sidelights if practical.
< 12m masthead or all round

Front 21

Rule 24 Towing or Pushing

Back 21

Towing vessel - two masthead lights if total tow length < 200m. Three mastheads if > 200m.
Rigid pushing - as power.
Pushing or alongside - two mastheads, no towing light.
Towed vessel (unless submerged) - stern and sidelights. Diamond shape if > 200m.
Pushed or alongside - sidelights plus sternlights if alongside.
Inconspicuous, partly submerged tows etc:
< 25m breadth - 360º white front and rear; > 25m breadth - additional 360º whites at extremities.
> 100m length - additional 360º white lights every 100m.
> 200m - diamond aft plus diamond forward
If sufficient cause, indicate as well as possible - illuminate tow line.

Front 22

Rule 25 Sailing or oars - underway

Back 22

Sailing - side and stern lights. May also show red/green 360º at masthead
< 20m may use tricolor instead.
< 7m may have 360º white lantern. - torch on ready
Oars may just have lantern / torch. Motor sailing - show cone.

Front 23

Rule 26 Fishing - Underway or at anchor:

Back 23

Trawling - green / white all round - or 2 cones point to point = basket
> 50m must also show a masthead abaft and higher.
Not trawling - red / white all round -or 2 cones point to point = basket.
If gear is out > 150m - show all round white or cone in direction of gear.
Making way - show stern and sidelights (ie white 360º replaces masthead).

Front 24

Rule 27 Other vessels

Back 24

Not Under Command - 2 red all rounds - or: 2 black balls.
Making way also stern and sidelights. No masthead.
RAM (except mine clearing) - 360º vertical red / white / red - or ball / diamond / ball vertical.
Making way - also show masthead, stern and sidelights.
Anchor - in addition.
Towing which is also RAM - as for RAM.
Dredging or underwater activities - as for RAM, plus 2 reds / balls (unsafe side) and 2 greens /diamonds (safe side).
No anchor lights required. Small vessels may use IC ‘A’ flag and red /white /red lights.
Mine clearance - power/anchor plus 3 green lights or 3 black balls on foremast and fore yards. Stay clear > 1000m.
< 12m unless diving can omit signals.

Front 25

Rule 28 Constrained by Draught

Back 25

3 reds vertical or a cylinder

Front 26

Rule 29 Pilot vessels on duty

Back 26

360º white over 360º red, or white / red flag
plus anchor light
or if underway stern and sidelights.
360º White replaces masthead light.

Front 27

Rule 30 Anchored Vessels / Aground

Back 27

All round white or ball. > 50m - high at fore, low at stern. > 100m must illuminate decks. Aground - as above, plus 3 reds vertical or three balls total.
< 7m away from fairway, channels etc need not show signals.
< 12m aground may act as if at anchor.

Front 28

Rule 31 Seaplanes

Back 28

Where not possible to exhibit lights or shapes as it should it should exhibit those as closely as possible.

Front 29

Rule 32 Sound Definitions

Back 29

Short blast: 1 sec
Long blast: 4 - 6 secs

Front 30

Rule 33 Sound Equipment

Back 30

>12m: whistle,
>20m: +bell,
>100m: +gong.
< 12m - an efficient signal.

Front 31

Rule 34 Manoeuvring and Warning Signals

Back 31

Power underway (whistle): Starboard: Port: Astern: . May also flash light 1 sec, > 10 secs between signals
Overtaking in channels: Starboard: Port: Agree:
Any vessel in doubt: (may also use lights). Bend in channel etc

Front 32

Rule 35 Sounds in restricted visibility

Back 32

Power: making way Underway only (stopped) (2 secs between).
NUC, RAM, Fishing, Sailing, Tug (lame duck):
Towed vessel (last):
Anchor: Bell for 5 secs every minute. > 100m, bell in forepart followed by gong aft. Warning:
Aground: In addition to anchor: “. . . / …... / . . .” 3 bell, rapid bell, 3 bell. May also whistle.
Pilot Vessel:
< 12m: as above or sound < 2 minutes apart.
All signals every 2 minutes if underway, every minute if at anchor.

Front 33

Rule 36 Attention -

Back 33

Any other signal so as not to be mistaken or embarrass any vessel.

Front 34

Rule 37 Distress Signals

Back 34

Gun, continuous noise, red rocket/shell stars, Morse SOS, VHF MAYDAY, N/C, square/ball; flames, red para or HH flare, orange smoke, arms raised/lowered, radiotelegraph, radiotelephone, EPIRB, SART.