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Module 007 COLLISION REGULATION
Module 007 COLLISION REGULATION
Module 007 COLLISION REGULATION
The goal of this training Module is to improve and test the knowledge of the
student regarding the “RULES of the ROAD” on purpose of the International
Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea, including situations seen from
sailing vessels and other kind of vessels.
HISTORY
Before modern standardization, quartermasters were advised to follow the rotation of the bottom of the
wheel. Thus, when obeying a "hard a-starboard" command, the QM would turn the bottom of the wheel to
the right, or starboard. This applied the left rudder and the ship turned to its left, or to port. Steering with
the bottom of the wheel was apparently an approved way to learn helming more than a century ago.
The nautical reason for a "hard a-starboard" command to turn left seems related to the tiller and not the
rudder. A tiller is pushed to the right, or starboard, to apply left rudder and turn the vessel to the left.
Right-of-way for other vessel.
Vessels at sea do not actually have any "right of way"—they may be, correctly, in the position of being the
"stand on vessel" or the "give way" vessel. Therefore, at no time should any vessel actually navigate its
way into a collision, and the regulations are clear that no one in command of a vessel may assume a
"right of way" up to a point of collision.
Consider two ships on courses that intersect. The ordinary rule is that the ship on the left must 'give way'.
The stand on vessel (right)sees the green light on the starboard (right) side of the ship on the left i.e.,
'give way vessel' (left). The 'give way vessel' (left) sees the red light on the port side of the 'stand on
vessel' (right). If the courses are intersecting, the helmsman usually gives way to a red light by going
around the stern of the stand on vessel.
There are other rules governing which is a stand on vessel, such as the wind based rules for sailing
vessels, powered ships giving way to sailing ships, and all other ships giving way to powered vessels that
are constrained by their draft or restricted in their ability to maneuver. Therefore the green light does not
mean an unqualified go, but rather it means proceed with caution subject to other rules applying. The
earliest railway signals went red/green/white (as per the stern light) for stop/caution/go following this naval
practice and were only later changed to the more familiar red/yellow/green.
The very simple application of red light and green light is to remember the Ditty "If to starboard red
appear, tis your duty to keep clear" meaning that if the helmsman sees a red light on his starboard side he
is the Give Way vessel.
HISTORY
Starboard (right)
The origin of the term starboard comes from early boating practices. Before ships
had rudders on their centrelines, they were steered by use of a specialized steering oar. This
oar was held by an oarsman located in the stern(back) of the ship. However, similar to now,
there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This meant that the
steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to be affixed to the
right side of the ship. The word starboard comes from Old English steorbord, literally
meaning the side on which the ship is steered, descendant from the Old
Norse words stýri meaning "rudder" (from the verb stýra, literally "being at the helm", "having
a hand in") and borð meaning etymologically "board", then the "side of a ship".
Port (left)
An early version of "port" is larboard, which itself derives from Middle-English ladebord via
corruption in the 16th century by association with starboard. The term larboard, when
shouted in the wind, was presumably too easy to confuse with starboard and so the
word port came to replace it. Port is derived from the practice of sailors mooring ships on the
left side at ports in order to prevent the steering oar from being crushed.
Larboard continued to be used well into the 1850s by whalers, despite being long
superseded by "port" in the merchant vessel service at the time. "Port" was not officially
adopted by the Royal Navy until 1844 (Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour). Robert FitzRoy,
Captain of Darwin's HMS Beagle, is said to have taught his crew to use the term port instead
of larboard, thus propelling the use of the word into the Naval Services vocabulary.
The sailing rule that dictates that a sailing vessel on starboard tack is the stand on vessel is as old as any
other regulation. Likewise, if on the same tack, a sailing vessel that is upwind of another is the give way
vessel.
Mnemonic devices
There are a number of tricks used to remember which side port and starboard each refer to:
• A ship that is out on the ocean has "left port".
•The sailor left port with a red nose.
• Port and left both contain four letters.
• "Port wine is red; so is the port light."
• "Port is not right for children" (Port wine is red and not being "right for children" is therefore "left".)
• The phrase "Any red port left in the can?" can be a useful reminder. It breaks down as follows:
•The drink port is a fortified red wine—which links the word "port" with the color red, used for
navigational lights (see below).
•"Left" comes from the phrase and so port must be on the left.
•The reference to "can" relates to the fact that port-hand buoys are "can"-shaped.
• A variation on the above is "Two drops of red port left in the bottle."
• Another variation: "Port is the red wine that is left in the glass."
• The common abbreviation P.S. (for English postscript, derived from Latin post scriptum) can be viewed
as port ("left") and starboard ("right").
• "Star light, star bright, starboard is to the right."
• "There is no red port wine left".
• Terms referring to the right side are longer words ("starboard", "right", and "green"), while terms referring
to the other side are shorter words ("port", "left", and "red").
• Starboard contains two letter "R"s, compared to only one in port; therefore, starboard refers to the right
side.
• In countries that drive on the left side of the road: If someone is drinking Port, they should be on the
passenger side; the "star" of the boat, or person who is in control of the boat, is on the driver's side.
• Port and starboard are in alphabetical order, which can be associated in European languages with
reading from left to right. So they are in the same order as reading text. Left and right are in the same
order.
Responsibility
Rule 1 - Application
Rule 2 - Responsibility
Rule 3 – General Definition
Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules
Rule 11 – Application
Rule 12 – Sailing Vessels
Rule 13 – Overtaking
Rule 14 – Head-on Situation
Rule 15 – Crossing Situation
Rule 20 – Application
Rule 21 – Definitions
Rule 22 – Visibility of Lights
Rule 23 – Power-Driven Vessels Underway
Rule 24 – Towing and Pushing
Rule 25 – Sailing Vessels Under-way and Vessels under Oars
Rule 26 – Fishing Vessels
Rule 27 – Vessels Not Under Command and Vessels
Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre
Rule 28 – Vessels Constrained by Their Draught
Rule 29 – Pilot Vessels
Rule 30 – Anchored vessels and Vessels Aground
Rule 31 – Sea Planes
Part D – Sounds and Lights Signals
Rule 32 – Definitions
Rule 33 – Equipment for Sound Signals
Rule 34 – Manoeuvring and Warning Signals
Rule 38 – Exemptions
• STATE OF VISIBILITY
• TRAFFIC DENSITY
• MANOEUVRABILITY OF
THE VESSEL
• BACKGROUND LIGHTS
• DRAUGHT OF THE
VESSEL
RULE 6 SAFE SPEED
(b) By Vessels with operational Radar
135º
RULE 15 CROSSING SITUATION
In a case of a crossing situation between 2
power-driven vessels, the one that has the
other on its starboard side shall give way
and avoid ahead of her.
50m or More 6 3 3 3 3
20m - < 50m 5 2 2 2 2
12m - < 20m 5 2 2 2 2
< 20m 2 1 2 2 2
RULE 20 DEFINITIONS OF SHAPES
Shapes shall be black and of the following Sizes & Spacing
DISTANCE BETWEEN
SHAPES
NOT LESS CONE
BALL THAN 0.6m
NOT LESS
THAN 1.5m
NOT LESS
THAN 2X
THE
CYLINDER DIAMETER
DIAMOND
NOTE
When the vessel would like to attract the
attention of another vessel, it can give light or
sound signal that cannot be mistaken with
any other signal described in the “RULES OF
THE ROAD”
RULE 34 MANOEUVRING AND WARNING SIGNALS
2 prolonged followed by 1 short “G” from a
vessel from behind each other means;
I AM OVERTAKING ON YOUR STARBOARD
SIDE.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal ( ) at intervals
of not more than 2 minutes.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal ( ) at intervals
of not more than 2 minutes.
Lights at Night
The All-around yellow
flashing light must only be
exhibited by an air cushion
vessel when operating in a non-
displacement mode. The main
purpose of this light is to warn
Hovercraft less than 50m
other vessels that, as the vessel
is in a non-displacement mode,
her navigation lights may gave a
false indication of the direction of
travel. An air cushion vessel is
considered to be a power driven
vessel.
RULE 23 Submarines on Torpedo Exercise
Night
Green Rocket Flares
Daytime
Black Smoke
NOTE
DO NOT PASS LESS THAN
1000m ON EITHER SIDE
RULE 24 TUG and TOW
Lights at Night
3 Masthead Lights in a vertical line (if
length of tow is more than 200m), Side Lights
and Stern Lights. And 1 Yellow Towing Light
If the towing vessel is more than 50m
additional Masthead Light is required.
Day Time
A Diamond where it can best be seen.
The vessel being towed shall also display a
diamond shape
Restricted Visibility
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
The vessel being towed shall sound 1 long
followed by 3 short blast in response to the tug
RULE 24 TUG and TOW and OTHER SITUATIONS
Lights at Night
3 Masthead Lights in a
vertical line (if length of tow is
more than 200m), Side Lights
and Stern Lights. And 1 Yellow Towing vessel more than 50m and length of tow more than 200m
Towing Light
If the towing vessel is more than
50m additional Masthead Light
is required.
Day Time
One Diamond shape near the Aft end of the last barge
RULE 24 PARTLY SUBMERGE TOW MORE THAN 100M
If the breadth is less than 25m
1 All-round WHITE light near the forward end and 1 at the aft end. Plus additional
All-round light fore and aft of the middle barge. So that the distance between the
lights is maximum 100 meters.
If it is impossible to put any lights on the object, the towing vessel must
illuminate the tow with a search light.
Day Time
One Diamond shape near the Aft end of the last barge. If the towing vessel is
longer than 200 meters, an additional diamond shape near the fore end.
RULE 24 PUSHING AND TOWING ALONGSIDE
Lights at Night
2 Masthead Lights in a
vertical line, If the towing vessel Power driven vessel towing alongside excluding
is more than 50m additional
Masthead Light is required. composite unit less than 200m in length
The vessel being towed shall
exhibit Side Lights and stern
Lights only
Vessel being Towed shall exhibit Side lights and Stern Lights
only
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by
2 short blast at intervals of
not more than 2 minutes.
RULE 24 TOWING OVER 200m & RESTRICTED TO MANUEVER
Lights at Night
3 Masthead Lights (if vessel
towing is more than 50m) 1 aft
masthead light.
1 Yellow Towing Light
High intensity Light Flashing Morse Signal “U”
RED-WHITE-RED signal lights
Restricted Visibility
1 Long Signal followed by 2
short blast at intervals of not
more than 2 minutes.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2
short blast at intervals of not
more than 2 minutes.
RULE 25 SAILING VESSEL UNDER 7m and UNDER OARS
Lights at Night
These boats must be equipped
with an electric torch or any
source of light ready to be used in
case of collision.
RULE 25 SAILING VESSEL
Lights at Night
Side Lights and Stern Light
Sailing vessel underway can exhibit
additional signal lights Red over
Green at or near the mast.
Day Time
If the sail is hoisted and using motor,
it must exhibit a cone with apex down
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 25 SAILING VESSEL
Lights at Night
If under 20m can combine the side
lights in 1 lantern placed at or
near the mast.
Day Time
If the sail is hoisted and using motor,
it must exhibit a cone with apex down
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 25 SAILING VESSEL
Lights at Night
If using motor must exhibit 1
masthead Light.
Day Time
If the sail is hoisted and using motor,
it must exhibit a cone with apex down
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 26 FISHING VESSEL OTHER THAN TRAULING
Lights at Night
RED Signal Light over a WHITE light.
If making way through the water:
Side Lights and Stern Lights.
If the vessel is more than 50m, a additional
masthead Light above and astern of the Red
Signal Light.
Day Time
A shape consisting of 2 cones with there
apexes together.
Or a Basket if the vessel is less than 20m
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 26 FISHING VESSEL ENGAGED IN TRAULING
Lights at Night
GREEN Signal Light over a WHITE light.
If making way through the water:
Side Lights and Stern Lights.
If the vessel is more than 50m, a additional
masthead Light above and astern of the Red
Signal Light.
Day Time
A shape consisting of 2 cones with there
apexes together.
Or a Basket if the vessel is less than 20m
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 27 VESSEL NOT UNDER COMMAND
Lights at Night
The vessel shall have 2 RED
signal in a vertical Line, when
making way through the water Side
Lights and Stern Lights
Day Time
The vessel shall have 2 black balls in a
vertical line where it can best be seen.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 27 VESSEL RESTRICTED IN HER ABILITY TO MANUEVER
Lights at Night
The vessel shall have RED,
WHITE, RED Signal Lights in a
Vertical Line, when making way
through the water, masthead, Side
Lights and Stern Lights
Day Time
Ball, Diamond, Ball in a vertical line
where it can best be seen.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 28 VESSEL CONSTRAINED BY HER DRAUGHT
Lights at Night
The vessel shall have 3 RED,
Signal Light in a Vertical Line, when
making way through the water,
masthead, Side Lights and Stern
Lights
Day Time
A cylinder where it can best be seen.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2
short blast at intervals of not more
than 2 minutes.
RULE 27 UNDERWATER & DREDGING OPERATIONS
Lights at Night
2 RED All Round Lights where the
obstruction lies
2 GREEN All Round Lights where
safe passage is available
Day Time
2 BLACK BALLS where the obstruction
lies
2 DIAMONDS where safe passage
available
Lights at Night
In addition to Masthead light,
Side Lights and Stern Lights. 3
GREEN All Round Lights
forming a triangle. If more than
50m in length additional
masthead light is required
Day Time
3 BLACK BALLS forming a
Triangle
NOTE
DO NOT PASS LESS THAN
1000m ON EITHER SIDE
RULE 27h VESSEL ENGAGED IN DIVING OPERATIONS
Lights at Night
If the vessel is not big enough
to show lights and shapes
according to vessel which are
engaged in underwater
operations:
RED-WHITE-RED All-round
lights signal light should be
used in a vertical line where it
can be seen best.
Day Time
A rigid replica of the International Flag
ALPHA not less than 1 meter in height.
Measures previously carried out should
ensure it all round visibility.
RULE 29 VESSEL ENGAGE IN PILOTAGE DUTY
Lights at Night
WHITE Signal Light over a RED
Light.
If making way through the water:
Side Lights and Stern Lights.
Day Time
The International Pennant “HOTEL” or
the Pilot Flag.
Restricted Visibility
1 Long Signal followed by 4 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
NOTE
If the Pilot vessel is not on duty
it must act and signal as
ordinary motor-driven vessel.
RULE 30 VESSEL AT ANCHOR/AGROUND LESS THAN 12m
Lights at Night
1 All-Round White Light
Day Time
1 Black Ball
NOTE
Vessel shorter than 7m are not
obliged to show any light if
they have anchored free away
from fairway, narrow channel or
anchorage.
Lights at Night
1 All-Round White Light
A grounded vessel shall exhibit in
addition “NOT UNDER COMMAND“
2 Red Signal Lights
Day Time
1 Black Ball
A grounded vessel shall exhibit 3 BLACK
BALLS in a vertical line
Restricted Visibility
every minute for a period of 5 sec. The
bell must be rung rapid from the forward
part of the vessel
Lights at Night
1 All-Round White Light
at the stern and at a lower level than the
above: 1 All Round Light
Day Time
1 Black Ball
A grounded vessel shall exhibit 3 BLACK
BALLS in a vertical line
Restricted Visibility
every minute for a period of 5 sec. The
bell must be rung rapid from the forward
part of the vessel
Lights at Night
1 All-Round White Light
At the stern and at a lower level than the
above: 1 All Round Light and all available
Deck lights
Day Time
1 Black Ball
A grounded vessel shall exhibit 3 BLACK
BALLS in a vertical line
Restricted Visibility
every minute for a period of 5 sec. The
bell must be rung rapid from the forward
part of the vessel
Grounded vessel shall give 3 separate
and distinct stroke on the bell immediate
before and after the rapid ringing of the
WARNING FOR VESSEL AT ANCHOR
NOTE
Vessel at anchor shall may in
addition to signal to give
warning of her position and of
the possibility of collision to an
approaching vessel
Lights at Night
(c) A WIG craft only when
taking off and landing and in
flight near the surface shall, in
addition to the lights
prescribed in paragraph (a) of
this rule exhibit a high
intensity all-round flashing
red light.
RULE 31 Seaplanes exhibits lights of power driven vessel
Lights at Night
A seaplane on the water will exhibit
the light of a power driven vessel of her
length. Seaplanes by very nature of her
construction, will normally have a
“Masthead light” on the Forepart and side
lights on the wingtips when underway on On the Water
the water. A large seaplane at anchor may
have White lights on the wing tips in
addition to white lights forward and Aft.
Air Borne
RULE 27 VESSEL RESTRICTED IN HER ABILITY TO MANUEVER
ENGAGE IN REFUELING OPERATIONS
Lights at Night
The vessel shall have RED,
WHITE, RED Signal Lights in a
Vertical Line, when making way
through the water, masthead, Side
Lights and Stern Lights
Day Time
Ball, Diamond, Ball in a vertical line
where it can best be seen.
Restricted Visibility
When making Way in the Water
1 Long Signal followed by 2 short
blast at intervals of not more than
2 minutes.
RULE 23 Submarines
Lights at Night
Submarines may also exhibit an
amber flashing light as an aid to
identification in coastal waters, in
addition to navigational Lights, of a
power driven vessel. This light is
PERISCOPE DEPTH
carried above the Masthead Light,
and forward masthead Light of a
submarine may be at a lower level
than the sidelights
SURFACE
RULE 37 DISTRESS SIGNALS
These signals, used or exhibited together or
separately, indicates distress and need of
assistance.
• A dye marker
• A non official but old method of declaring
distress is to tie a knot in the national
flag
WARNING
The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of
indicating and need of assistance and the use of other signals, which maybe
confused with any of the above signals IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Glossary
• ABAFT – towards the stern
• ABREAST – opposite or at right angle
• AGROUND – on the bottom
• ASTERN - backwards; behind the vessel.
• ATHWART – at right angle to the fore and aft line of a vessel. Also Athwartship.
• BLINKER – a set of electric lamp at a masthead or spreader connected with a telegraph key.
• BROADSIDE – the side of a vessel above the water.
• BURDEN VESSELS – are vessel oblige to keep clear of those having the right of way.
• COLLISION – vessel coming into destructive contact.
• DEAD AHEAD – a direction straight ahead.
• FAIRWAY – a thoroughfare of shipping mid channel.
• FOG SIGNAL – sounds distinct by vessel or light stations to aid navigators.
• GUT – a small channel
• HYDROFOIL – a boat with underwater wings.
• INSHORE – towards the land.
• LEEWARD – toward the lee ;the part of the ship facing away from the wind.
• LEEWAY – the amount a vessel is carried to leeward by force of the wind.
Glossary
• LOOK OUT – a seaman assigned to the forecastle or at the bridge or aloft to search the sea
ahead and report any vessel or obstruction sighted.
• PRIVILEDGE VESSEL – the one with the right of way and privilege to hold her course and
speed.
• SEA ROOM – offshore with a good safe distance from shoals or a lee shore.
• SHORE – to set a stanchion or place blocking beneath the overloaded deck.
• STAND ON – to hold the course.
• TOW – to haul another ship through the water by a hawser or tied alongside.
• TOWING LINES – are heavy wire rope used for towing.
• TUG – a small vessel used in towing or assisting in docking of a larger ship.
• UNDERWAY – a term applied when a vessel is not fast on the pier and making way through
the water.
• WAKE – the track of the vessel left astern
• WIDE BERTH – comfortable distance from a ship a shoal or the shore.