This guide demonstrates how these rules fit together and how the interpretation and application of each of them can be influenced, sometimes wrongly, by the vast mass of information now available from electronic aids to navigation. At the end of this guide is a series of collision case studies and simple plotting sheets, which readers can use to illustrate developing situations while on watch. The case studies and the questions they ask are designed to be the starting point for wide-ranging discussions on all aspects of collision avoidance.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

THE RULES

Rule 2: Responsibility

Rule 5: Look-out

Rule 6: Safe speed

Rule 7: Risk of collision

Rule 8: Action to avoid collision

Rule 10: Traffic separation schemes

Rule 13: Overtaking

Rule 14: Head-on situation

Rule 15: Crossing situation

Rule 16: Action by give-way vessel

Rule 17: Action by stand-on vessel

Rule 19: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

CASE STUDIES

Introduction

Case Study 1. Who started this?

Case Study 2. Is it good to talk?

Case Study 3. What were they thinking?

Case Study 4. Watch out astern

Case Study 5. To cross or not to cross?

Case Study 6. Fishing?

PLOTTING SHEETS

Plotting Sheet 1. Open sea

Plotting Sheet 2. Traffic separation scheme

Plotting Sheet 3. Coastal waters

Collisions are among the most high profile of all maritime accidents. The number of collisions and theircost, in personal and financial terms, has increased in recent years and ‘human error’ seems to be the only common factor.

THE COLREGS

Collisions should not happen but they do; sometimes with disastrous consequences. Proper application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs) by every watchkeeper on every vessel is the only way to reduce the risk of collision. Indeed, if the regulations are followed to the letter, then a collision should never occur.

Today’s watchkeeper is required to gather, understand and appraise information from a range of sources; from sophisticated radar, automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA), electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), automatic identification systems (AIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) to compass bearings, visual sightings and sound signals. This information is the starting point of a decision making process and the watch keeper must then apply the COLREGs to the factual situation in order to identify the correct steps leading to the correct outcome.

IDENTIFYING RISK

The concept of the ‘risk of collision’ is a key feature of the COLREGs. The risk of collision must be identified, assessed and avoided at all times and this is the responsibility of every watchkeeping officer on every vessel. The best lesson you can learn from this guide is to acknowledge the watchkeeper’s responsibility to identify a ‘risk of collision’ and to take all necessary steps to avoid or minimise that risk.

The aim of this guide is to deliver that message by encouraging discussion between all watchkeepers, from cadets to masters and inspecting officers. We learn best from our experience and from the experience of the people around us, and there is no better way of understanding COLREGs than through discussion, whether in bridge team meetings, at onboard training sessions, during a quiet watch or in the mess room.

KEY RULES

This is not a textbook on the COLREGs. Rather, it is a focus for discussion of those regulations that we at North believe are the key to collision avoidance and which we see breached time and again when collisions occur. We think the rules that are discussed in this guide are the ones which are most often misinterpreted and misapplied. We hope that this guide will demonstrate how these rules fit together and how the interpretation and application of each of them can be influenced, sometimes wrongly, by the vast mass of information now available from electronic aids to navigation.

At the end of the guide are collision case studies and simple plotting sheets which you can use to illustrate developing situations. We hope that the case studies and the questions they ask will be the starting point for wideranging discussions on all aspects of collision avoidance.

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