Terminology and Reference Section (TRS)

Conference Division
International Maritime Organization

IMO MULTILINGUAL GLOSSARY

ON THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS

FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA (COLREG), 1972,
AS AMENDED

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Background information:

 COLREG 1972, 2003 Edition

 Amendments: A.28/Res.1085 (new Part F - Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention);
 Amendments: A.25/Res.1004 (Annex IV, Distress signals)

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implied, in particular as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information provided.

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 COLREG GLOSSARY

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CHINESE Definition in COLREG/
ENGLISH TERM FRENCH TERM SPANISH TERM Record Reference
and Other information
Number
RUSSIAN
action by give-way manœuvre du maniobra del ‫تحرك السفينة المطلوب‬ 1606 COLREG 1972, Every vessel which is directed to
vessel navire non buque que cede el ‫منها منح سفينة أخرى‬ Rule 16 keep out of the way of another
privilégié paso ‫فرصة المرور‬ vessel shall, so far as possible, take
early and substantial action to keep
well clear.
action by stand-on manœuvre du maniobra del 1607 COLREG 1972, (a) (i) Where one of two vessels is
vessel navire privilégié buque que sigue a Rule 17 to keep out of the way the
rumbo other shall keep her course
and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may,
however, take action to avoid
collision by her manoeuvre
alone, as soon as it becomes
apparent to her that the
vessel required to keep out of
the way is not taking
appropriate action in
compliance with these Rules.
(b) When, from any cause, the
vessel required to keep her
course and speed finds herself
so close that collision cannot be
avoided by the action of the give-
way vessel alone, she shall take
such action as will best aid to
avoid collision.
(c) A power-driven vessel which
takes action in a crossing
situation in accordance with
subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule

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to avoid collision with another
power-driven vessel shall, if the
circumstances of the case admit,
not alter course to port for a
vessel on her own port side.
(d) This Rule does not relieve the
give-way vessel of her obligation
to keep out of the way.
action to avoid manœuvre pour maniobra para 1613 COLREG 1972, Any action to avoid collision shall be
collision éviter les evitar el abordaje Rule 8 taken in accordance with COLREG
abordages and shall, if the circumstances of the
case admit, be positive, made in
ample time and with due regard to
the observance of good
seamanship.
aground vessel navire échoué buque varado ‫سفينة جانحة ؛ سفينة‬ 1721 COLREG 1972,
‫مرتطمة بالقاع في مياه‬ Rule 30
buque encallado ‫ضحلة‬
all-round light feu visible sur tout luz todo horizonte 1786 COLREG 1972, All-round light means a light
l'horizon Rule 21(e) showing an unbroken light over an
arc of the horizon of 360°.
anchored vessel navire au buque fondeado 33986 COLREG 1972,
mouillage Rule 30

bell cloche campana 33990 COLREG 1972, A bell or gong, or other device
Annex III, having similar sound characteristics
section 2 shall produce a sound pressure
level of not less than 110 dB at a
distance of 1 m from it.

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close-quarters situation situación de ‫اقتراب حرج‬ 4155 COLREG 1972,
situation rapprochée aproximación Rule 8 (c),
excesiva "Action to avoid
collision"
crossing ship navire qui traverse buque que cruza 4446 COLREG 1972,
Rule 9(d)
traversier
crossing situation navires dont les situación de cruce 33985 COLREG 1972, When two power-driven vessels are
routes se croisent Rule 15 crossing so as to involve risk of
collision, the vessel which has the
other on her own starboard side
shall keep out of the way and shall,
if the circumstances of the case
admit, avoid crossing ahead of the
other vessel.
direction-indicating feux de direction luces indicadoras 33999 COLREG 1972,
lights de dirección Annex I,
Section 4
distress signal signal de détresse señal de peligro 33989 COLREG 1972, The following signals, used or
Rule 37 and exhibited either together or
Annex IV separately, indicate distress and
need of assistance:
(a) a gun or other explosive signal
fired at intervals of about a
minute;
(b) a continuous sounding with
any fog-signalling apparatus;
(c) rockets or shells, throwing red
stars fired one at a time at short
intervals;

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(d) a signal made by
radiotelegraphy or by any other
signalling method consisting of
the group · · · - - - · · · (SOS) in
the Morse Code;
(e) a signal sent by radiotelephony
consisting of the spoken word
''Mayday'';
(f) the International Code Signal
of distress indicated by N.C.;
(g) a signal consisting of a square
flag having above or below it a
ball or anything resembling a
ball;
(h) flames on the vessel (as from a
burning tar barrel, oil barrel,
etc.);
(i) a rocket parachute flare or a
hand-flare showing a red light;
(j) a smoke signal giving off
orange-coloured smoke;
(k) slowly and repeatedly raising
and lowering arms
outstretched to each side;
(l) a distress alert by means of
digital selective calling (DSC)
transmitted on:
(i) VHF channel 70, or

(ii) MF/HF on the frequencies

2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz,
4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz,
12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz;

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(m) a ship-to-shore distress alert
transmitted by the ship’s
Inmarsat or other mobile
satellite service provider ship
earth station;
(n) signals transmitted by
emergency position-indicating
radio beacons;
(o) approved signals transmitted
by radiocommunications
systems, including survival
craft radar transponders.
fairway chenal paso (de 5335 A 22/Res.918 That part of a river, harbor, and so
navegación) on, where the main navigable
channel for vessels of larger size
lies. The usual course followed by
vessels entering or leaving harbour.
The word "fairway" has been
generally interpreted to include any
navigable water on which vessels of
commerce habitually move.

(Ref: De Kerchove Dictionary)

fishing vessels navires en train de buques dedicados 5497 COLREG 1972,
engaged in fishing pêcher et a la pesca en Rule 1(c)
as a fleet constituant une flotilla
flottille de pêche
fishing vessels navires de pêche buques pesqueros ‫سفن الصيد التي تقوم بصيد‬ 5498 COLREG 1972,
fishing in close pêchant à que se encuentren ‫األسماك على مقربة من‬ Annex II -
proximity proximité les uns pescando muy ‫بعضها البعض‬ Additional
des autres signals for

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cerca unos de рыболовные fishing vessels
otros суда, занятые fishing in close
промыслом в proximity
непосредственно
й близости друг
от друга
flashing light feu à éclats luz centelleante ‫نور وميض ؛ ضوء‬ COLREG 1972, Flashing light means a light flashing
‫وامض‬ Rule 21(f) at regular intervals at a frequency of
luz de destellos 120 flashes or more per minute.

give-way vessel navire non buque que cede el 6377 COLREG 1972, Every vessel which is directed to
privilégié paso Rule 16 keep out of the way of another
vessel shall, so far as possible, take
early and substantial action to keep
well clear.
gong gong gong 33991 COLREG 1972, A bell or gong, or other device
Annex III, having similar sound characteristics
Section 2 shall produce a sound pressure
level of not less than 110 dB at a
distance of 1 m from it.
head-on situation navires qui font situación de vuelta 6072 COLREG 1972, (a) When two power-driven vessels
des routes encontrada Rule 14 are meeting on reciprocal or
directement nearly reciprocal courses so as
opposées to involve risk of collision each
shall alter her course to
starboard so that each shall pass
on the port side of the other.
(b) Such a situation shall be
deemed to exist when a vessel
sees the other ahead or nearly
ahead and by night she could

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see the masthead lights of the
other in a line or nearly in a line
and/or both sidelights and by day
she observes the corresponding
aspect of the other vessel.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as
to whether such a situation
exists she shall assume that it
does exist and act accordingly.
height above the hauteur au-dessus altura por encima ‫االرتفاع فوق ُك َّفة السفينة ؛‬ 6103 COLREG 1972, Height above the hull means height
hull du plat-bord del casco ‫االرتفاع فوق حافة السفينة‬ Annex I, above the uppermost continuous
section 1 deck. This height shall be measured
from the position vertically beneath
the location of the light.
look-out veille vigilancia ‫مراقبة ؛ خفارة مراقبة ؛‬ 7377 Every vessel shall at all times
‫رصْ د‬ maintain a proper look-out by sight
lookout and hearing as well as by all
‫مراقب ؛ مالحظ ؛ راصِ د‬ available means appropriate in the
prevailing circumstances and
conditions so as to make a full
наблюдение appraisal of the situation and of the
risk of collision.
manoeuvring light feu de manœuvre luz de maniobra 34001 COLREG 1972, The manoeuvring light shall be
Annex I, placed in the same fore-and-aft
Section 12 vertical plane as the masthead light
or lights and, where practicable, at a
minimum height of 2 m vertically
above the forward masthead light,
provided that it shall be carried not
less than 2 m vertically above or
below the after masthead light. On a
vessel where only one masthead

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light is carried, the manoeuvring
light, if fitted, shall be carried where
it can best be seen, not less
than 2 m vertically apart from the
masthead light.
masthead light feu de tête de mât luz de tope 7564 COLREG 1972, Masthead light means a white light
Rule 21(a) placed over the fore-and-aft
centreline of the vessel showing an
unbroken light over an arc of the
horizon of 225° and so fixed as to
show the light from right ahead to
22.5° abaft the beam on either side
of the vessel.
narrow channel chenal étroit canal angosto 33998 COLREG 1972, A vessel proceeding along the
Rule 9 course of a narrow channel or
fairway shall keep as near to the
outer limit of the channel or fairway
which lies on her starboard side as
is safe and practicable.
overtaking vessel navire qui en buque que 7901 COLREG 1972, (a) Notwithstanding anything
rattrape un autre alcanza(-ce) a otro Rule 13(d) contained in the Rules of part
B, sections I and II, any vessel
overtaking any other shall keep
out of the way of the vessel
being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be
overtaking when coming up
with another vessel from a
direction more than 22.58 abaft
her beam, that is, in such a
position with reference to the
vessel she is overtaking, that at

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night she would be able to see
only the sternlight of that
vessel but neither of her
sidelights.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt
as to whether she is overtaking
another, she shall assume that
this is the case and act
accordingly.
(d) Any subsequent alteration of
the bearing between the two
vessels shall not make the
overtaking vessel a crossing
vessel within the meaning of
these Rules or relieve her of
the duty of keeping clear of the
overtaken vessel until she is
finally past and clear.
power-driven navire à propulsion buque de 33992 COLREG 1972, Power-driven vessel means any
vessel mécanique propulsión Rule 3(b) vessel propelled by machinery.
mecánica
prolonged blast pitada larga pitada larga ‫صافرة طويلة‬ 9361 COLREG 1972, Prolonged blast means a blast of
Rule 32(c) from four to six seconds' duration.
long blast
restricted visibility visibilité réduite visibilidad reducida ограниченная 9887 COLREG 1972, Restricted visibility means any
видимость Rule 3(l) condition in which visibility is
restricted by fog, mist, falling snow,
heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or
any other similar causes.

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risk of collision risque d'abordage riesgo de abordaje опасность 9959 COLREG 1972, (a) Every vessel shall use all
столкновения Rule 7 available means appropriate to
the prevailing circumstances
and conditions to determine if
risk of collision exists. If there is
any doubt such risk shall be
deemed to exist.
(b) Proper use shall be made of
radar equipment if fitted and
operational, including long-
range scanning to obtain early
warning of risk of collision and
radar plotting or equivalent
systematic observation of
detected objects.
(c) Assumptions shall not be made
on the basis of scanty
information, especially scanty
radar information.
(d) In determining if risk of collision
exists the following
considerations shall be among
those taken into account:
(i) such risk shall be deemed to
exist if the compass bearing
of an approaching vessel
does not appreciably
change;
(ii) such risk may sometimes
exist even when an
appreciable bearing change
is evident, particularly when
approaching a very large

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vessel or a tow or when
approaching a vessel at
close range.
safe speed vitesse de sécurité velocidad de безопасная 10094 COLREG 1972, Every vessel shall at all times
seguridad скорость Rule 6 proceed at a safe speed so that she
can take proper and effective action
to avoid collision and be stopped
within a distance appropriate to the
prevailing circumstances and
conditions.
sailing vessel voilier velero ‫مركب شراعي‬ 10120 COLREG 1972, Any vessel under sail provided that
buque de vela Rule 3 propelling machinery, if fitted, is not
S/V navire à voiles парусное судно being used.

seaplane hydravion hidroavión ‫طائرة مائية‬ 5652 COLREG 1972,

Rule 31
гидроплан
short blast son bref pitada corta 11193 COLREG 1972, Short blast means a blast of about
Rule 32(b) one second's duration.
sidelight feu de côté luz de costado 11245 COLREG 1972, Sidelight means a green light on the
Rule 21(b) starboard side and a red light on the
port side each showing an unbroken
light over an arc of the horizon of
112.5° and so fixed as to show the
light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft
the beam on its respective side. In a
vessel of less than 20 m in length the
sidelights may be combined in one
lantern carried on the fore-and-aft
centreline of the vessel.

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signals to attract signaux destinés à señales para 33988 COLREG 1972, If necessary to attract the attention
attention appeler l'attention llamar la atención Rule 36 of another vessel, any vessel may
make light or sound signals that
cannot be mistaken for any signal
authorized elsewhere in COLREG,
or may direct the beam of her
searchlight in the direction of the
danger, in such a way as not to
embarrass any vessel. Any light to
attract the attention of another
vessel shall be such that it cannot be
mistaken for any aid to navigation.
sound signal signal sonore señal acústica ‫إشارة الصوت‬ 11415 COLREG 1972,
signal acoustique Rule 35 and
звуковой сигнал Annex III

stand-on vessel navire privilégié buque que sigue a судно, которому 11583 COLREG 1972, (a) (i) Where one of two vessels is
rumbo обязаны уступать Rule 17 to keep out of the way the
дорогу other shall keep her course
and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may,
however, take action to avoid
collision by her manoeuvre
alone, as soon as it becomes
apparent to her that the
vessel required to keep out of
the way is not taking
appropriate action in
compliance with these Rules.
(b) When, from any cause, the
vessel required to keep her
course and speed finds herself
so close that collision cannot be

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avoided by the action of the give-
way vessel alone, she shall take
such action as will best aid to
avoid collision.
(c) A power-driven vessel which
takes action in a crossing
situation in accordance with
subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule
to avoid collision with another
power-driven vessel shall, if the
circumstances of the case admit,
not alter course to port for a
vessel on her own port side.
(d) This Rule does not relieve the
give-way vessel of her obligation
to keep out of the way.
sternlight feu de poupe luz de alcance 12684 COLREG 1972, Sternlight means a white light
Rule 21(c) placed as nearly as practicable at
the stern showing an unbroken light
over an arc of the horizon of 135°
and so fixed as to show the light
67.5° from right aft on each side of
the vessel.
take all way off, casser l'erre suprimir la ‫زيادة السرعة‬ 30231 COLREG 1972,
(to) arrancada Rule 8(e)

towing light feu de remorquage luz de remolque 10752 COLREG 1972, Towing light means a yellow light
Rule 21(d) having the same characteristics as
the sternlight.
turning ability qualité de giration capacidad de giro поворотливость 10917 COLREG 1972,
(судна) Rule 6 a) iii)

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underway (vessel) (navire) faisant (buque) en /‫السفينة في عرض البحر‬ 8380 COLREG 1972, The term underway means that a
route navegación ‫السفينة المُبحرة‬ Rule 2(i) vessel is not at anchor, or made fast
to the shore, or aground. This
definition does not distinguish
(buque) en marcha 航行中
between underway vessels and
making way and those stopped and
making no way. MSC 46 issued this
clarification: "When applying the
definition of the term underway,
mariners should have regard to
COLREG Rule 35(b) where it is
indicated that a vessel may be
underway but stopped and making
no way through the water." This
clarification has been interpreted to
mean that vessels that are under
way, even if not making way, must
comply with the applicable steering
and sailing rules.
vessel navire buque 28262 Ship means a vessel of any type
whatsoever operating in the marine
ship environment and includes hydrofoil
boats, air-cushion vehicles,
submersibles, floating craft and
fixed or floating platforms.
vessel constrained navire handicapé buque restringido 8060 COLREG 1972, Vessel constrained by her draught
by her draught par son tirant por su calado Rule 3(h) means a power-driven vessel which,
d'eau because of her draught in relation to
the available depth and width of
navigable water, is severely
restricted in her ability to deviate
from the course she is following.

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vessel engaged in navire en train de buque dedicado a 33993 COLREG 1972, Vessel engaged in fishing means
fishing pêcher la pesca Rule 3 (d) any vessel fishing with nets, lines,
trawls or other fishing apparatus
which restrict manoeuvrability, but
does not include a vessel fishing
with trolling lines or other fishing
apparatus which do not restrict
manoeuvrability.
vessel engaged in navire effectuant buque dedicado a 34000 COLREG 1972,
underwater des travaux operaciones Annex I,
operations sous-marins submarinas Section 4

vessel not under navire qui n'est buque sin gobierno 8375 COLREG 1972, Vessel not under command means
command pas maître de sa Rule 3(f) a vessel which through some
manœuvre exceptional circumstance is unable
to manoeuvre as required by these
Rules and is therefore unable to
keep out of the way of another
vessel.
vessel restricted in navire à capacité buque con 33987 COLREG 1972, Vessel restricted in her ability to
her ability to de manœuvre capacidad de Rule 3(g) manoeuvre means a vessel which
manoeuvre restreinte maniobra from the nature of her work is
restringida restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
as required by COLREG and is
therefore unable to keep out of the
way of another vessel. The term
vessels restricted in their ability to
manoeuvre shall include but not be
limited to:
(i) a vessel engaged in laying,
servicing or picking up a

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navigation mark, submarine
cable or pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging,
surveying or underwater
operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in
replenishment or transferring
persons, provisions or cargo
while underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in the
launching or recovery of
aircraft;
(v) a vessel engaged in mine
clearance operations;
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing
operation such as severely
restricts the towing vessel and
her tow in their ability to deviate
from their course.
visibility of lights portée lumineuse visibilidad de las 9607 COLREG 1972,
des feux luces Rule 22

whistle sifflet silbato ‫صافرة‬ 8646 COLREG 1972, Whistle means any sound signalling
Rule 32(a) and appliance capable of producing the
pito свисток Annex III prescribed blasts and which
complies with the specifications in
annex III to COLREG.
Wing-In-Ground navion nave de vuelo 23531 WIG craft is a multimodal craft which
rasante is supported in the air, mainly, by an
WIG navire/engin à aerodynamic lift generated on a
ailes portantes par wing (wings), hull, or their parts,
which are intended to utilize the
effet de sol

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ground effect action. WIG craft are
categorized according to the
following types:
.1 type A: a craft which is certified
for operation only in ground
effect;
.2 type B: a craft which is certified
to temporarily increase its
altitude to a limited height
outside the influence of ground
effect but not exceeding 150 m
above the surface; and
.3 type C: a craft which is certified
for operation outside of ground
effect and exceeding 150 m
above the surface.

(Ref: MSC.1/Circ.1054 (Interim

Guidelines for WIG craft))

_____________

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