International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea,1972
PART B
STEERING AND SAILING RULES
SECTION 1
Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of
Visibility
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session, students will be able to:
- Give the titles of Rule 7-9
- Explain the necessity of determining if risk of
collision exists
- Describe the actions to be taken to avoid risk
of collision
- Explain the necessity of altering course in a
sufficient area
- Discuss the responsibility of a give-way and
stand-on vessels in eliminating the risk of
collision
Rule 7: Risk of Collision
a) Every vessel shall use all available means
appropriate in the prevailing circumstances
and conditions to determine if risk of collision
exists.
If there is any doubt such risk shall be
deemed to exist.
Rule 7: Risk of Collision
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.
Rule 7: Risk of Collision
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 when 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.
RISK OF COLLISION IS DEEMED TO EXIST:
Crossing situation: constant bearing &
reduced distance
Approaching a very large vessel
Even if bearing changes appreciably,
there could still be risk of collision
Approaching a Tow
Even if bearing changes
appreciably, there could still
be risk of collision
Approaching at Close Range:
Even if bearing changes
appreciably, there could
still be risk of collision
Rule 8
Action to avoid
collision
If you have to take action to
avoid collision, which action
should you take?
Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall,
if the circumstances of the case admit,
be
* positive,
* made in ample time and
* with due regard to the observance
of good seamanship.
Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
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.
Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
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.
Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
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
f)
(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.
Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision
f)
(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
Note:
1. Red buoys = even numbers
Green buoys = odd numbers
2. NAVIGABLE/SAFE WATERS
- within the the 2 sets (colors) of buoys
3. UNSAFE WATERS for bigger vessels
- outside or beyond the 2 sets (colors)
of buoys in the Narrow Channel
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
a) A vessel proceeding
along the course of a
narrow channel or
fairway shall keep as:
* near to the outer
lane of the channel
or fairway which
lies on her starboard
side as is safe and
practicable.
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
b) - A vessel of less than
20 meters in length
- 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 vessel
navigating within a narrow channel or
fairway.
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
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):
- atleast 5 short blasts followed by
rapid blasts (.....) if in doubt as to the
intention of the crossing vessel.
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
e) (i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking
can take place only if
- the vessel to be overtaken has to take action
to permit safe passing
The vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her
intention by sounding the appropriate signal
prescribed in rule 34 (c) (i)
* (_ _ .) - overtaking on starboard side
* (_ _ . .) - overtaking on the port side
The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound
the appropriate signal prescribed in rule 34(c) (ii)
* (_._.) and take steps to permit safe passing.
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
e)
(ii) This rule does not relieve the overtaking
vessel of her obligation under rule 13.
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area in a narrow
channel or fairway where other vessels may be
obscured by an intervening obstruction shall
navigate with particular caution and shall sound
the appropriate signal prescribed in rule 34 (e)
- (one prolonged blast)
Rule 9: Narrow Channels
g) Any vessel
shall, if the
circumstances
of the case
admit, avoid
anchoring
in a narrow
channel.
