Learning Module 1

Lesson 2 Part B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES Section I: Rule 4-8

(7 hours)

Competence, Course Outcomes and Learning Outcomes

Competence: :

Maintain a safe navigational watch

Course Outcome/s: Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the content, application and
intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended.

Learning Outcomes:

1 provisions of Rule 4: Application and Rule 5: Look-out

2 factors that constitute safe speed as provided in Rule 6: Safe Speed
3 risk of collision exists as provided in Rule7:Risk of Collision
4 execute action to avoid collision as provided in Rule 8: Action to avoid collision

Overview

The International Rules were formalized in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972, and became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules (commonly called 72 COLREGS) are
part of the Convention, and vessels flying the flags of states ratifying the treaty are bound to the Rules.

The 1972 COLREGS were developed by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
which in May 1982 was renamed the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In November 1981, IMOs
Assembly adopted 55 amendments to the 1972 COLREGS, which became effective on June 1, 1983. The IMO
also adopted 9 more amendments, which became effective on November 19, 1989.

IMO regularly enacts regulations (such as the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
which are broadly enforced by national and local maritime authorities in member countries. The IMO has also
enacted a Port State Control authority, allowing domestic maritime authorities such as coast guards to inspect
foreign-flag ships calling at ports of the many port states. Memoranda of Understanding (protocols) were
signed by some countries unifying Port State Control procedures among the signatories
 Discussion

PART B. STEERING AND SAILING RULES

Section 1. Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility.

Rule 4

Application

Rules in this section apply in any conditions of visibility.

The visibility good and poor Rule shall be apply

Rule 5

Lookout

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 or the risk of collision.

This mean he is the EYE and EAR of the vessel

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 a 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 in to 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 manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the
prevailing conditions;

_ (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.

(b) Additionally, by vessels 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;

_ (iv) the possibility that small vessels, ice and other large floating objects may not be detected by radar at
an adequate range;

_ (v) the number, location and movements 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.

Rules should be apply to avoid Collision

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 as 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 observations of
detected objects.

(c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.

(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 it 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 a collision.

(a) Any action taken to avoid a collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, 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.

(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 a 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 in finally past
and clear.

(e) If necessary to avoid collision of 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.

_ (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.

All Rule and Action Shall be taken to avoid Collision

 References
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international Regulations for preventing collisions at sea , 1972 , including all amendments . 2nd ed .
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T3 – Japitana , Marvin P. (2015) . Navigate ahead : a guide for rules of the road ’72 . Intramuros, Manila :
Mindshapers Co., Inc.
T4 – Dept. of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard . (n.d) . Navigation rules and regulations
handbook . [s.l.:s.n.] .

R1 – Bole, Alan , Alan Wall and Andy Norris .(2014) . Radar and ARPA manual: radar , AIS and target tracking
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R2- Abangan , Emeterio Jr . (2013) . Deckwatch keeping 1 . Mandaue City , Cebu : DMC Busa Printers .
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