Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another

Rule 11
Application
The Rules in Section II do not apply to a vessel which has detected
another vessel by radar, and has established that risk of collision
exists, if the other vessel cannot be sighted visually.
Rule 19 of section III applies only to vessels navigating in or near an
area of restricted visibility.
In restricted visibility, vessels may initially have to comply with Rule
19 of section III then subsequently have to comply with the Rules
of Section II when they come into visual sight of one another.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 12
Sailing Vessels
This Rule will not apply if one of the vessels under sail is also using
propelling machinery.
A sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees the green
sidelight of another sailing vessel to windward at night and is unable
to determine whether the other vessel has the wind on the same
side and is required to keep out of the way or has the wind on the
starboard side and is required to keep her course and speed. In
such circumstances she is required to keep clear, taking into account
of the possibility that the other vessel may take avoiding action.
A sailing vessel which has the wind on the starboard side and sees
the red sidelight of another sailing vessel to windward at night may
also be unable to determine whether the other vessel has the wind
on the port or the starboard side, the other vessel is required to
keep out of the way, so course and speed should be maintained.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 13
Overtaking
Every vessel overtaking any other is obliged to keep clear of the
overtaken vessel and to pass at a safe distance.
If a vessel coming up relatively close to another vessel from any
direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her starboard beam, and
subsequently turns to port to come on to a crossing course, she is
not relieved of the duty of keeping clear.
A vessel overtaking is not required to avoid crossing ahead of the
other vessel but altering course, or reducing speed, in order to pass
astern of the vessel being overtaken may be the safest form of
avoiding action.
A PD vessel which approaches another PD vessel from a direction
approximately 22.5 degrees abaft her beam may be in doubt as to
whether she is an overtaking vessel or a crossing vessel, such a
vessel to assume that she is overtaking and keep out of the way.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 14
Head-on Situation
The Rule apply to cases in which each vessel sees the masts, or
masthead lights, of the other nearly in line and nearly ahead but
the vessels appear likely to pass dangerously close to each other
starboard to starboard, or port to port.
Vessels meeting starboard to starboard so as to involve risk of
collision should make an early and substantial alteration to starboard
to achieve a port to port passing.
When a vessel is in doubt as to whether a meeting or crossing
situation exists, she should assume that Rule 14 applies and alter
course to starboard.
Whether PD vessels are meeting on reciprocal courses or crossings
at fine angle it is important that neither vessel should alter course
to port. Several collisions have been caused as a result of one vessel
altering course to port to increase the passing distance and the
other vessel turning to starboard.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 15
Crossing Situation
This Rule apply when two PD vessels are crossing so as to involve
risk of collision, the vessel with the other on her own starboard side
shall keep out of the way, and shall avoid crossing ahead of the
other vessel.
This Rule does not apply to two PD vessels crossing so as to involve
risk of collision if one of the PD vessel is NUC, RAM and engaged in
fishing.
A vessel engaged in towing such as severely restricts the towing
vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course,
exhibiting RAM, is not required to keep out of a PD vessel crossing
from her starboard side.
A towing vessel other than RAM is considered as a ordinary PD
vessel.
A vessel constraint by her draught is expected to keep out of the
way of a PD which is crossing from her starboard side so as to
involve risk of collision.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 16
Action by Give-way Vessel
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another
vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to
keep well clear.
This Rule apply to a PD vessel required to keep clear of another PD
vessel crossing from the starboard side. (R15)
Action taken to avoid collision shall be such as to result in passing at
a safe distance. (R8)
Any alteration of course or speed should be made in ample time and
be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel. (R8)

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 17
Action by Stand-on Vessel
A vessel is only required to maintain her course and speed in a two
vessel situation.
This Rule does not apply if the two vessels concerned are not in
visual sight of each other, or if there is no risk of collision.
A stand-on vessel may take action and act at an earlier stage, to
avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone in order to avoid immediate
danger.
A stand-on vessel is permitted to keep her course and speed until
collision cannot be avoided by the give way vessel alone. The
obligation of the stand-on vessel to continuously assess the situation
when risk of collision exists and subsequently to take action before
collision becomes inevitable.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 17
Action by Stand-on Vessel
A PD vessel to avoid turning to port to avoid collision with another
PD vessel crossing from her own port side.
When the stand-on vessel find herself so close that collision cannot
be avoided by the give-way vessel alone she is required to take
action.
When collision with another vessel is considered to be inevitable,the
engines should be stopped, and the helm should be used so as to
achieve a glancing blow rather than a direct impact.
If the stand-on vessel takes action, the give-way vessel is not
relieved of her obligation to keep out of the way and to achieve a
safe passing distance.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 18
Responsibilities between Vessels
A PD vessel is required to keep out of the way of all other types of
vessel, except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require, and
must avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her
draft.
When Rules 9, 10, 13 applies, Rule 18 is not applicable.

A sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the vessels NUC, RAM,
a vessel engaged in fishing and of a PD vessel which she is
overtaking, and avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel in a
narrow channel, traffic lane or constrained by her draft.

A vessel engaged in fishing must, so far as possible, keep out of the

way of vessels NUC and RAM, and avoid impeding the safe passage
of a vessel constrained by her draft.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 18
Responsibilities between Vessels
A vessel constrained by her draft shall, when risk of collision with
another vessel in a crossing or head-on situation, apply the relevant
Steering and sailing Rules as a PD vessel. IMO Guidance
Special rules by local authorities may take precedence over Colregs
which give additional privilege to a vessel constrained by her draft
so that she does not become a give-way vessel. Local rules
Mariners to consult SD and other publications for details of such
special rules.
A Seaplane which must, in general, keep clear of all vessels and
avoid impeding their navigation.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
Rule 18
Responsibilities between Vessels

A Seaplane which must, in general, keep clear of all vessels and

avoid impeding their navigation.

A WIG craft in flight near surface, landing, taking off must keep
clear of all other vessels, avoid impeding their navigation.

A WIG craft on water surface is a PD vessel and must comply rules

of this part.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section III Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Rule 19
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
This Rule applies not only when a vessel is navigating in an area of
restricted visibility but also when she is near such an area.
This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another in restricted
visibility.
The necessity to reduce speed (safe speed) will depend upon the
speed of the ship, her stopping power, the traffic in the vicinity and
other factors. If visibility <5 NM it is prudent to have the engines
on stand-by as fog can develop rapidly.
A PD vessel is required to have her engines ready for immediate
manoeuvre in restricted visibility, even in the open ocean.
This Rule emphasises the need to take the circumstances of
restricted visibility into account when complying with the Rules of
Section I of Part B. R5 (look-out), R6 (safe speed), R7 (risk of
collision), R8 (avoiding action), R9 (narrow channels) and R10 (TSS).

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section III Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Rule 19
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Detection by radar alone refers to vessel which detects another
vessel, in restricted visibility, by radar alone, without sighting her
visually or hearing fog signal.
The distance at which a close quarters situation first applies depend
upon a number of factors: the size, characteristics and speed of the
vessels concerned.
In restricted visibility, in the open sea, a close quarters situation is
generally considered to begin to apply of at least 2 NM in any
direction forward of the beam as this is the audible range of ships
whistle in still condition.
In order to avoid a close quarters situation in restricted visibility,
when action consists of an alteration of course, a vessel to avoid
altering course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, except
when overtaking. Alteration of course towards a vessel approaching
from abeam or abaft the beam are to be avoided.

Part B Steering and Sailing Rules

Section III Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Rule 19
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
A change of speed is generally more effective as a means of
avoiding a close quarters situation with a vessel approaching from
near the beam.
When a fog signal of any other vessel is heard apparently forward
of the beam, the engines should be stopped or speed reduced, unless
it has been determined that there is no risk of collision.
Alterations of course should, in general, be avoided after hearing a
fog signal forward of the beam, unless both the position and
movement of the other vessel have been reasonably determined.
The direction of sound signals may be misleading in fog.

Every vessel which hears a fog signal forward at the beam shall
navigate with extreme caution and if necessary take all way off.