COLLISION REGULATIONS

OIC-NW BEDAN, JONATHAN B.

COLLISION REGULATIONS (Dwatch 121)

Convention on the
International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea,
1972, as amended
Course Contents

▪ History
▪ Part A: General
▪ Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules
▪ Part C: Lights and Shapes
▪ Part D: Sound and Light Signals
▪ Part E: Exemptions
▪ Part F: Verification of Compliance with the Provisions of the
Convention
Course Contents

▪ 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 Sound Signal Appliances
– Annex IV: Distress Signals
COLREG Throwback
History of Collision Regulations
History of COLREG

For several hundred years, rules were in existence but with no

statutory force.
18th Century - Regulations for Sailing Vessels.
1840 - Trinity House (London) drew up a set of rules (Steam
vessels).
1846 - Enacted as an Act of Parliament.
1848 - Admiralty Regulations concerning navigation lights added
to Steam Navigation Act 1846.
History of COLREG

1858 - Colored side lights prescribed, Fog signals prescribed.

1863 - New set of regulations drawn up by British Board of Trade, in
consultation with French Government
1864 – 1863 Regulations adopted by over 30 maritime countries.
1889 - Maritime conference in Washington initiated by government of the
United States.
History of COLREG

COLREG - 1960 to 1972 Regulations

By 1965 it was felt necessary for a thorough revision to take account of
developments in navigation such as:

– the widespread acceptance and use of radar,

– the introduction of traffic separation, and
– the increase in size and speed of many ships.
History of COLREG

In October 1972, a conference was held which brought in substantial changes and a
new format to the Regulations.
▪ Convention on International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972,
as amended.
▪ Adopted - 20 Oct 1972; Entered in force - 15 July 1977
▪ Replaces COLREGS 1960 which entered in force with the SOLAS Convention at
that time.
▪ Amended in 1981, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2007
▪ Also known as 'Rules of the Road', often abbreviated to ROR.