Rule of the Road

Lesson 1
Covering: Rules 1 - 3

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Why do we need it?

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Rule 1 – read!!

• So – where do these rules apply?

• Do they apply on the US/Canadian Great
Lakes?
• Do they apply in the Panama Canal?
• Do they apply in Lake Geneva?

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 Rule 1 (still) Para (b)

• What is a roadstead?

• Who is a Special Authority?

• Harbour Master, VTS
• Give an example of a Special Rule?
• Speed Limit
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 Rule 1 para (d)
• What organization are the Rules taklking about here?
• IMO

• Para (e)
• This must be one of the longest sentences in history
(106 words!) and, as a result, is one of the worst to
read, with a series of let-out clauses for governments
and other agencies in sections (b) to (e). But what is it
talking about?

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Unusual Lights

• What is this you’re seeing?

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The Answer

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Now what are you seeing?
Seen from Ahead

Seen from side on

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The Answer

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 Rule 2
• Read para (a). What does this mean?
• It means that you MUST obey the rules!
• Now read para (b). What does this mean?
• It means that having obeyed the rules, if a collision is still
going to occur, you MUST disobey the Rules to avoid the
collision.
• Therefore, Rule 2 can be summed up as the “GET YOU” Rule.
If you have a collision, this is one Rule that you will have
disobeyed!!!!
• Overall, Rule 2 says that YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
HAVE A COLLISION.
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 Rule 3 - Definitions

• Para (a). Just what is a vessel?

• Para (b). When are you a Power Driven
Vessel (PDV)?
• Para (c). When is a sailing vessel a PDV?
• Para (d). What is a Fishing vessel? What is a
Trolling Line?
• Para (e). What is a Seaplane?
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 Rule 3 – Definitions (Cont/d)

• Para (f). When is a vessel Not Under Command

(NUC)?
• Para (g). What is a vessel Restricted in her Ability to
Manoeuvre (RAM)?
• What is the difference between NUC and RAM?
• Which vessels are included as RAM and what about
Para (g) vi – Towing. If you’re towing, are you
always RAM?

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Towing – is this RAM?

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Is this RAM?

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 Rule 3 – Definitions (Cont/d)

• Para (h). What are the important words in this

paragraph for a vessel Constrained By her Draught
(CBD)?
• Para (i). When are you underway?
• It is important to note that being underway has
absolutely NOTHING to do with moving through the
water. You are still underway if your vessel was
stopped, picking up a Pilot for example.

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Rule 3 – Definitions (Cont/d)

• Para (j). Homer Simpson - DOH!

• Para (k). When are you in sight of one another?

• For example, I’m not aware of any Law or

Rules stating that a vessel MUST carry
binoculars!
• Para (l). Just what is Restricted Visibility?
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 Rule 3 – Definitions (Cont/d)

• Para (m). What is a Wing In Ground (WIG)

craft?
• As you can see, the one thing they definitely
have not got is a Wing in the Ground!

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 RECAP

• Who do the Rules Apply to?

• Who can make Special Rules and if they do,
where do they apply?
• What can the government of any state do with
respect to the Rules?
• Can a Sailing vessel be NUC?
• Can a Sailing vessel be CBD?
• Can a Fishing vessel be RAM?
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 Multi-choice Example

• Who do the rules apply to?

– All vessels on the high seas and in any water
connected therewith
– All vessels at sea and in all waters connected
therewith
– Any vessel upon the high seas and in all seas
connected therewith
– All vessels upon the high seas and in all waters
connected therewith