STATUTORY

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

COLREG 72
 Definitions
Vessel: Any craft used as a means of transportation on the water
(Rule 3 a)
Underway: Not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground
(Rule 3 h)
Power-driven: Propelled by machine (Rule 3 b)
Sailing: Under sail power alone - no propelling machinery is
being used (Rule 3 c)
Vessel engaged in fishing: Use of nets, trawls, or other apparatus
which reduces maneuverability (Rule 3 d)
 APPLICATION
• These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters
connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels but there are the other
considerations:
• The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through
some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by
these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another
vessel.
• The term “vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre” means a vessel
which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way
of another vessel. Ex: Vessel engaged in Surveying, Towing, Launching
aircraft and mine clearing vessel
• The term “vessel constrained by her draught” means a power-driven
vessel which, 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.
 RULES
Rule 5: Proper Lookout

• Each vessel shall maintain a proper look-out

by sight and hearing (Rule 5)

• Use all available means to assess the risk of

collision (Rule 5)
 RULES
Rule 6 : Safe Speed

• Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a

speed so that it can take proper and effective
action to avoid collision (Rule 6)

• Be able to stop within a distance appropriate

to the prevailing circumstances and conditions
(Rule 6)
 RULES
In determining a safe speed, vessel operators
should consider:
➢Visibility and traffic density;
➢ A vessel’s maneuverability;
➢Presence of background lights;
➢The state of the wind, sea and current;
➢The vessel’s draft in relation to the available
depth of water. (Rule 6 a)
Lights
 Rule 20:
Application of Lighting Rules
• Lighting rules apply:
– from sunset to sunrise :The most typical of these is
often that lights are required one half hour before
sunset and one half hour after sunrise. It is important
to know the state requirements and be aware that the
laws may be different in other states.
– in restricted visibility (fog, rain, etc.)
– all other times it is deemed necessary
(Rule 20 c)
 Lighting Rules:
• No other lights shall be displayed except lights
that:
– cannot be mistaken for required lights

– do not obscure required lights

– do not interfere with keeping a proper look-out

(Rule 20 b)
 Navigation Lights

1. Masthead light
2. Port side light
3. Starboard side light
4. Stern light
5. Towing light
 Masthead light for power-driven vessels - 225° white light
visible from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on both sides
(Rule 21 a)
All-round light - 360° light showing all around the horizon,
may be red, green or yellow light. This light can be replaced
by fwd and stern mast head light (Rule 21 e)
Sidelights - green to starboard and red to port,
visible from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft the
beam
Stern light - 135° white light showing aft
(filling the dark zone of the sidelights) (Rule 21 c)
May be one (combination) light on masthead of vessel
Flashing/ Morse light – May be yellow or blue light,
360 ° arc on masthead, 120 flashes/minute
 3 masthead lights for the distance
from stern of towing vessel to the stern of towed vessel is > 200m
and 2 masthead lights for <200m
DAY SHAPE IN TOWING VESSEL
Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
 Sailing Vessel

Sidelights*

Stern light
*Note: Sailing vessels may opt to display red, green and
white lights on the top of the mast rather than at deck level.
 View of lights when looking at the side of
another vessel underway
Power-driven vessel Sailing vessel

Port
side

Starboard
side
View of lights when looking at the bow of
another vessel underway
Power-driven vessel Sailing vessel
Additional lighting options for sailing
vessels
View of lights when looking at any vessel at
anchor or the stern light of any vessel
underway
 Lighting requirements
Engaged Not under Restricted in Constrained by
in command ability to draft
fishing maneuver
 Day shape requirements
Engaged Not under Restricted in Constrained
in fishing command ability to by Draft
maneuver
Restricted in ability to maneuver