4/17/2019 COLREGs course - Application of Rule 18 in narrow channels or fairways where Rule 9 applies

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Home Advanced COLREGs Course Scenarios Application of Rule 18 in narrow channels or fairways where Rule 9 applies

Application of Rule 18 in
narrow channels or
fairways where Rule 9
applies
Description of scenario: Vessel A: Power-driven vessel constrained by her draught underway (Dynamic draught 11 m)

Vessel B: Power-driven vessel underway more than 20 m in length (Dynamic draught 6 m)

Area: Narrow channel (Depth 13~15 m)

Visibility: Good (Vessels are in sight of one another)

Vessel A and vessel B are crossing so as to involve risk of collision

Vessel A has vessel B on her own starboard side (relative bearing STBD 054°)

Rule(s) to be applied: Rule 9 (Narrow channel )

Rule 8 (Action to avoid collision )

Rule 34 (Manoeuvring and warning signals )

Applying the Rule(s) and comments: Crossing situation (vessel A and vessel B):

In accordance with Rule 9 (d) (Narrow channels ), a vessel (vessel B) shall not cross a narrow
channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate
only within such channel or fairway (vessel A).

In accordance with Rule 9 (d) (Narrow channels ), a vessel which can safely navigate only within
such channel or fairway (vessel A) may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34 (d)
(Manoeuvring and warning signals ) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel (vessel

B).
In accordance with Rule 8 (f )(i) (Action to avoid collision ), a vessel (vessel B) which is required

not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel (vessel A) shall, when required by
the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea-room for the safe passage

of the other vessel (vessel A).

In accordance with Rule 8 (f )(ii) (Action to avoid collision ), a vessel (vessel B) required not to

impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel (vessel A) is not relieved of this
obligation if approaching the other vessel (vessel A) so as to involve risk of collision and shall,
when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the Rules of Part B

(Steering and Sailing Rules).

In accordance with Rule 8 (f )(iii) (Action to avoid collision ), a vessel (vessel A) the passage of
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Sailing Rules) when the two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of
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4/17/2019 COLREGs course - Application of Rule 18 in narrow channels or fairways where Rule 9 applies

collision.
In accordance with Rule 34 (d) (Manoeuvring and warning signals ), if a vessel (vessel A) fails to

understand the intentions or actions of the other vessel (vessel B), or is in doubt whether
sufficient action is being taken by the other vessel (vessel B) to avoid collision, the vessel in

doubt (vessel A) shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid
blasts on the whistle.

In accordance with Rule 34 (d) (Manoeuvring and warning signals ), sound signal may be
supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes.

Comments:
In this scenario it is necessary to determine which Rule to apply, Rule 9 (Narrow channels ) or

Rule 18 (Responsibilities between vessels)? It is clear that vessel A is vessel constrained by her
draught and that vessels are crossing in narrow channel .

In accordance with Rule 18 (d)(i) any vessel (vessel B) other than a vessel not under command
or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught (vessel A), but this Rule
cannot be applied if Rule 9 (Narrow channels ) otherwise require.

Rule 9 (d) (Narrow channels ) requires that a vessel (vessel B) shall not cross a narrow channel

or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only

within such channel or fairway (vessel A).

Actually both Rules (Rule 9 and Rule 18 ) require that vessel B shall not cross a narrow channel

or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only

within such channel or fairway (vessel A).

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Just limited underkeel clearance is not enough to consider a Overtaking and crossing situation on the high seas

vessel as constrained by her draught

Scenarios

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clearance is not enough to situation on the high seas narrow channels or fairways situation on the high seas
consider a vessel as where Rule 9 applies
constrained by her draught

Overtaking and crossing Multi-ship encounter situation Overtaking and head-on Overtaking and crossing
situation on the high seas in a traffic separation scheme situation on the high seas situation with vessel restricted
in her ability to manoeuvre on
the high seas

Head-on and overtaking Head-on and overtaking Multi-ship encounter situation Multi-ship encounter situation
situation with vessel not under situation on the high seas in coastal waters close to in coastal waters close to
command on the high seas close to shallow water areas headland headland and a shallow water
area

Multi-ship encounter situation Multi-ship crossing situations Risk of collision by strictly Crossing situation in a traffic
with vessel engaged in fishing, with different responsibilities following the initial voyage separation scheme
power-driven vessel and between vessels plan
sailing vessel

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Multi-ship encounter situation Multi-ship encounter situation
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on the high seas close to the on the high seas in restricted
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4/17/2019 COLREGs course - Application of Rule 18 in narrow channels or fairways where Rule 9 applies
area of restricted visibility visibility

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