NS101

Rules of the Road

(1-19)
 Enabling Objectives

Know the U.S. Inland Rules of the Road and the

International Regulations for preventing collision at sea
to include:
Rules 1-19
 Rule 1 - Application
International
“These Rules shall apply to all vessels
upon the high seas and in all waters
connected therewith navigable by
seagoing vessels”
Inland
“These Rules apply to all vessels upon
the inland waters of the United States,
and to vessels of the United States on
the Canadian waters of the great Lakes
to the extent that there is no conflict
with Canadian law”
 Rule 2 - Responsibility

Nothing will not exonerate any vessel or the owner, master or crew
thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these
Rules or the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the
ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the
case.
If a collision occurs, the excuse of
following the rules will not be
considered adequate. Any vessel
involved in a collision will have
some responsibility for the
accident.
Who is
responsible
for this?
 Rule 3 – General Definitions
Vessel – Every water craft, including non-displacement craft and
seaplanes/WIG craft capable of carrying passengers and being used as a
means of transportation on water.
Power driven vessel (PDV) - Any vessel propelled by machinery.
Sailing Vessel (SAIL) - Any vessel propelled by sail alone.
Vessel engaged in fishing (FISH) - Any vessel fishing with any fishing
apparatus that restricts maneuverability.

Vessel ? SAIL ? FISH?

 Rule 3 – General Definitions
Vessel Not Under Command (NUC) - Any vessel that through exceptional
circumstance can`t comply with the rules.
Vessel Constrained By Draft (CBD) - A vessel whose draught in relation to
depth of water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course
(Int. only).
Vessel Restricted in her Ability to Maneuver (RAM) – A vessel who through
the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules and is
unable to keep out of the way of other vessels.

NUC ? CBD ? RAM ?

 Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
RAM shall include, but not be limited to vessel:
- laying, picking up or servicing of a navigation mark, submarine cable or
underwater pipeline
- dredging, surveying, or conducting underwater operations
- replenishment or transfer of persons, provisions, or cargo
- launching or recovering aircraft
- engaged in mine clearance operations
- engaged in towing operations such that the towing vessel is severely
restricted in their ability to deviate from track
 Rule 3 – General Definitions
Underway – Not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
Length and Breadth- Length overall and widest breadth.
Vessels in Sight of One Another – Each vessel can be observed visually from
the other.
Restricted Visibility – Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog,
mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
Seaplane – Any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.
Wing in Ground Craft (WIG) – A multimodal craft which, in its main operation
mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.
 I am a fishing vessel.
Get out of my way!!!

Is this true?
 Rule 4 - Application

These Rules shall apply in ANY

CONDITION of visibility
 Rule 5 - Lookouts

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a

proper look-out by sight and hearing as
well as by all available means
appropriate in the prevailing
circumstances and conditions so as to
make a full appraisal of the situation and
of the risk of collision.
 Rule 6 – Safe Speed
“Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take
proper and effective action to avoid collision and to be stopped within a
distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions”
Factors Taken into Account by All Vessels
- Visibility - Wind, sea, current
- Traffic density - Draft
- Maneuverability
- Background lights
 Rule 6 – Safe Speed

Additional Factors Taken into Account by Vessels with an Operations RADAR

• Characteristics, efficiency, and limitations of the radar
• Range scale in use
• Effect of sea state, weather and other sources of interference
• Ability to detect small vessels and other objects, such as ice,
at adequate range
• The exact number location and movement of contacts detected
by radar
• The more exact assessment of the visibility when radar is used
to determine range to objects in the vicinity
 Rule 7 – Risk of Collision

All available means shall be used to

determine if risk of collision exists;
if in doubt, assume that it does.
RADAR shall be used to obtain early
warning of risk if equipped and
operational.
Do not rely on scanty information.
Take into account: Constant
Bearing-Decreasing Range (CBDR)
Risk of collision may also exist with no CBDR, when approaching a very
large vessel, a vessel at close range or a vessel with a long tow
BEARING DRIFT
CBDR SITUATION
 Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision

Any action taken to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the

case admit, be positive and in ample time
Any alteration of course or speed to avoid collision shall be large
enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually
or on radar
Alteration of course will
probably be the most efficient
means of avoiding collision
provided that it does not
result in another close
quarters situation
 Rule 9 – Narrow Channels

• Stay to the starboard side of the channel

• Vessels less than 20 meters in length, SAIL, FISH and crossing vessels
shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can only safely navigate
in a narrow channel
• Avoid anchoring

• Sound 1 prolonged blast when

nearing an obscured bend or area

or fairway
Narrow Channels
4 5
5
 Rule 10 – Traffic Separation Scheme

• Proceed in the appropriate direction for the lane

• Keep clear of the separation zone
• Join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, with as
shallow an angle as practical
• Do not cross a TSS, if obliged do it with right angle to the direction
of TSS

Do not enter a separation zone,

except:
• in cases of emergency
• to engage in fishing within a
separation zone
• to cross the TSS
 Rule 11 - Application

These Rules ONLY apply to vessels in VISUAL SIGHT of one another.

 Rule 12 – Sailing Vessels
1. Each vessel has the wind on a different side: the vessel that has the
wind on the port side shall keep out of the way
2. Both vessels have the wind on the same side: the vessel that is
windward shall keep out of the way of the leeward vessel.
3. If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees another vessel to
windward, but cannot determine on which side the wind is relative
to the observed vessel, she shall assume she is give way and keep
out of the way.

??? ??? ???

 RULE 12 (a) i

w
 RULE 12 (a) ii

w
 RULE 12 (a) iii

w
 Rule 13 – Overtaking Situation
• If approaching a vessel from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.
• Vessel overtaking: keep out of the way of the overtaken.
• If in doubt as to whether an overtaking situation exists, assume that it does and
act accordingly.
• Any subsequent alteration of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the
situation a crossing situation; the overtaking vessel is not relieved of her
responsibility to remain clear until she is past and clear of the vessel being
overtaken.
Approach greater
than 22.5 degrees
abaft the beam
 Rule 14 – Head On Situation
• PDVs on reciprocal or near reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision,
unless otherwise agreed: Each vessel shall alter course to starboard and pass
PORT to PORT.

• If in doubt whether a head-on situation exists, assume it does.

• Inland only: A PDV traveling with the current on the Gr. Lakes, West. Rivers, or
other waters specified by the Secr. of Transp., has right-of-way over a vessel
traveling against the current.
FRONT OR BACK???
 Rule 15 – Crossing Situation

• When two PDVs are crossing paths so as to involve a risk of collision.

• The vessel that has the other vessel on her starboard side shall keep out of her way
and shall avoid crossing ahead.
• Inland only: a PDV crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a PDV ascending or
descending the river.

Remember this???
 Rule 16
Action of the Give Way Vessel

Every vessel that 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.
 Rule 17
Action of the Stand On Vessel

Where one vessel is to keep out the way, the other shall maintain course and
speed.
Stand-on vessel may take action to avoid collision, as soon as it becomes
apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking the appropriate action in
compliance with the Rules.

Stand-on vessel shall take action when collision cannot be avoided by the
action of the give-way vessel alone.
Should a stand-on vessel maneuver in a crossing situation, she shall avoid
altering course to port.
Nothing in this rule relieves the give-way vessel from her responsibility to keep
out of the way of the stand-on vessel.
 Rule 18
Responsibility between Vessels

This rule establishes the pecking order:

Not Under Command (NUC) (Least responsible)
Restricted Ability to Maneuver (RAM)
Constrained By Draft (CBD) (International Only)
Fishing (FISH)
Sailing (SAIL)
Power Driven Vessel (PDV)
Seaplane (SEA)
Wing in Ground craft (WIG) (Most responsible)
This rule applies only when not otherwise required by Narrow
Channel, TSS and Overtaking rules
 Rule 19
Conduct of Vessels
in Restricted Visibility

Applies to vessels NOT IN SIGHT of one another

Every vessel must proceed at a safe speed adapted to the visibility. A PDV shall
have her engines ready for immediate maneuver

Vessel Detected by radar alone: Determine if a close-quarters or CBDR situation is

developing. If so, take avoiding action, but avoid:
- An alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (except a
vessel being overtaken) should be avoided.
- An alteration of course toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.

Vessel detected by fog signal alone: Except when there is no risk of collision,
reduce speed to bare steerage. If necessary, take all way off and proceed only
with extreme caution until the danger of collision is over.