COLREGS

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

COLLISION REGULATIONS

Midterm - Week 5
 CO1. Demonstrate thorough
Course knowledge and understanding of the
content, application and intent of the
Outcome International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as
amended
Topic/s: 3.3 Section III (Rule 19)
 At the end of the lesson the students
would be able to:
3.9 Explain the actions to be taken by a vessel
navigating in restricted visibility
Learning
outcomes
Convention on the International
Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea 1972
Part B Steering and Sailing Rules
Section III
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
 COLREGS Part B Section III
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
 Introduction

Your perspective changes when the weather

turns foul or the fog rolls in. You may know
where you are, but knowing who else is out
there, becomes a much bigger problem.
 Introduction

• Being underway when you can’t see is one of

the more stressful aspects in seafaring. You
can be sure that professional mariners feel no
differently when they find themselves in fog,
rain, or snow.
IT CAN BE DOWNRIGHT SCARY!!!
 Introduction

• Some of that anxiety can be ameliorated if you

are educated in the proper use of radar, and have
a voyage plan that directs your actions at such
times.
• The simplest and safest approach is to sit at the
dock until weather conditions improve.
You may be a late arrival at your
destination, but you will arrive intact…
Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility
a. This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of
one another when navigating in or near an
area of restricted visibility.
b. Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed
adapted to the prevailing circumstances
and conditions of restricted visibility. A
power-driven vessel shall have engines
ready for immediate maneuver.
Telegraph on Full Maneuvering Speed
Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility
a. Nm
b. M
c. Every vessel shall have due regard to the
prevailing circumstances and conditions of
restricted visibility when complying with
the Rules of Section I of this Part.
 Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility
a. A
b. B

c. C

d. A vessel which detects by radar alone the

presence of another vessel shall determine if a
close quarters situation is developing and/or
risk of collision exists. If so she shall take
avoiding action in ample time, provided that
when such action consists of an alteration of
course, so far as possible the following should
be avoided:
Targets Detected by Radar
 Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility

i. An alteration of course to port for a vessel

forward of the beam, other than for a vessel
being overtaken;
ii. An alteration of course towards a vessel
abeam or abaft the beam.
Do Not Alter to Port!!!
 Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility
a. A

b. A

c. A

d. A

e. Except where it has been determined that a

risk of collision does not exist, every vessel
which hears apparently forward of her beam
the fog signal of another vessel, or which
cannot avoid a close quarters situation with
another vessel forward of her beam, shall
reduce her speed to the minimum at which
she can be kept on her course.
Telegraph on Dead Slow Ahead
Rule 19- Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility

she shall if necessary take all her way off and

in any event navigate with extreme caution
until danger of collision is over.
 Taking All Her Way Off

• To take all way off means to bring the vessel to a

complete halt by stopping the engines or applying
astern propulsion (propelling the ship backwards
or putting it on reverse).
Taking All Her Way Off
 Close Quarter Situation
• A situation at which vessels are dangerously
approaching each other and the action of one
vessel alone may not be enough to avoid Risk
of collision.
The distance may vary case by case, however, the
following factors may take into account.
i. Approaching rate and directions.
ii. The speed of both vessels.
iii. Maneuverabilities of both vessels.
iv. Weather, visibility, and traffic conditions, etc.
 Close Quarter Situation

• The distance between the vessels may assume

that there is a close quarter situation if one vessel
entering into the turning circle of the other.
Close Quarter Situation
 Risk of Collision

• Is that the bearing between the vessels is not

changing enough so if these vessels are kept
going that course and speed they will meet
(collide or almost collide) at a point.
• However as per Rule 7(a), we should assume
that there is a risk of collision even if we have any
doubt.
Risk of Collision
 Summary

• Describes the proper conduct of vessels in

restricted visibility
• Sets out how to apply the Rule to determine
risk of collision in a close quarters situation
and decide on the correct avoiding action
• Reminds that Sections I and III of the Steering
and Sailing Rules must be complied with
strictly.
 Summary

• Navigating a ship in restricted visibility

requires a full understanding of the COLREGS
in particular Part B (Steering and Sailing
Rules) both Section III (Rule 19)- Conduct of
vessels in restricted visibility and Section I
(Rules 4-10 inclusive)- Conduct of vessels in
any condition of visibility.
 Summary

• It is the responsibility of the OOW to comply

with the COLREGS. Companies have to
ensure compliance of their employees with
COLREGS and issue guidance to that extent
but the ultimate decision about safe
navigation has to be made by the OOW taking
into account all available information.
 Summary

• Rule 19 is the basis for navigation in

restricted visibility; this Rule requires that a
vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted
to the prevailing circumstances, initially to be
judged by all factors listed in Rule 6. Rule 19
requires that there is no stand-on vessel. All
participants are required to take appropriate
avoiding action.