RESTRICTED VISIBILITY

NAVIGATION
Collision Avoidance In
Restricted Visibility
 Collision Avoidance In
Restricted Visibility
Visibility may be restricted by heavy rain, snow, blown
spray, low cloud, mist and fog, and in some parts of the
world blown sand, and smoke.
Fog is defined as excess water vapour in the air, reducing
visibility to 1 nautical mile or less.
 Rule 19
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility
(a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight
of one another when navigating in or near an
area of restricted visibility.
(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed
adapted to the prevailing circumstances and
conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven
vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate
manoeuvre.
(c) Every vessel shall have due regard to the
prevailing circumstances and conditions of
restricted visibility when complying with the Rules
of Section I of this Part.
The rules of Section 1 apply in any condition of visibility.
The particular rules are those appertaining to:

5. Lookout,
6. Safe Speed
7. Risk of Collision
8. Action to Avoid Collision
9. Narrow Channels
10. Traffic Separation Schemes.
(d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the
presence of another vessel shall determine if a
close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of
collision exists.
If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time,
provided that when such action consists of an
alteration of course, so far as possible the following
shall be avoided:
(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel
forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being
overtaken,
(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam
or abaft the beam.
(e) Except where it has been determined that a risk
of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears
apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of
another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-
quarters situation with another vessel forward of
her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at
which she can be kept on her course.
She shall if necessary take all her way off and in
any event navigate with extreme caution until
danger of collision is over.
Navigation In Restricted Visibility
 Navigation
• It is important that during restricted visibility, that the
position of the vessel is known at all times
• This is especially because of the lack of any visual
references, unless the vessel is within sight of a
navigational aid.
 Navigation
• This is also due to the lack of situational awareness that
could come about about using the head up display on
the radar, and manoeuvring as required by the Collision
Regulations to avoid risk of collision.
 Parallel Indexing

• The principal method

of monitoring
navigation in
restricted visibility is
the use of parallel
indexing
185
T
0.3 nm

0.3 nm

150
T
0.2 nm
 Parallel Indexing
• The Variable Range Marker is
first set up on the same
distance as is required to
safely pass off the radar
conspicuous object being
used.
• In the example it is set up
0.3nm
• This is known as the cross
index range
 Parallel Indexing

• The Electronic Bearing Line is

set up on the same bearing as
the course that is required to
be made good
 Parallel Indexing
• It is important that the radar conspicuous objects used in
parallel indexing are positively identified from the chart or
chart plotter and checked on the radar.
• If parallel indexing is attempted on a moving object, it will
lead you off course and possibly into danger.
185
T
0.3 nm

0.3 nm

150
T
0.2 nm
 Parallel Indexing

• 1. The vessel is steered, so as

to bring the radar conspicuous
target against the Electronic
Bearing Line.
 Parallel Indexing

• If the target crosses and

comes inside the Electronic
Bearing Line alter to starboard
to increase the distance off.
• If the target moves further
away from the Electronic
Bearing Line, alter to port to
put it back on.
 Parallel Indexing

• 2. The course is steered to keep

the radar target on the line.
185
T
0.3 nm

0.3 nm

150
T
0.2 nm
 Parallel Indexing

• 3. The vessel is now

approaching the alteration of
course point.
• The next course is 150 T, and
cross index range 0.3’ .
 Parallel Indexing

• 4. At this stage short of a

catastrophic failure, the vessel
will be safe, and the parallel
indexing for the new course
can be set up
 Parallel Indexing

• 5. Set up the new cross index

range (0.3 nm) on the
Variable Range Marker, and
then change the bearing of
the Electronic bearing line to
the new course (150 T) and
rest it against the Variable
Range Marker ring
 Parallel Indexing

• 6. When the Electronic

Bearing Line on its new
bearing of 150 T is about to
come clear of the
conspicuous object, alter
course of the vessel to 150 T
 Parallel Indexing

• 7. As before, steer the course

to keep the conspicuous radar
object on the Electronic
Bearing Line
185
T
0.3 nm

0.3 nm

150
T
0.2 nm
 Parallel Indexing

• 8. Before the radar

conspicuous object No.1
disappears astern, have
available the new cross index
range of Radar Conspicuous
Object 2 available (0.2 nm)
 Parallel Indexing

• 9. Set new cross index range

on Variable Range Marker,
and move Electronic Bearing
Marker on bearing against
Variable Range Marker ring.
• Steer to line as before
 Parallel Indexing

• The use of parallel indexing need not be confined to

restricted visibility, but may be used in clear visibility
as well.
 Monitoring Course

• An additional method available for monitoring

course is to preset routes into the chart plotter.
• These waypoints and routes should be preset into
the chart plotter.
• The routes should then be verified during the
periodic training so that there is complete
confidence in these routes.
 Monitoring Course

• The routes can then be used and relied upon in

case of unexpected restricted visibility, night time
navigation, and in transit on training or during an
incident.
Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• Rule 35
• In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day
or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used
as follows:
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water
shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one
prolonged blast.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and
making no way through the water shall sound at intervals
of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in
succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between
them.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in
her ability to manoeuvre, a vessel constrained by her
draught, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing
and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another
vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule,
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes three blasts in
succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short
blasts.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (d) A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a
vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when
carrying out her work at anchor, shall instead of the
signals prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule sound
the signal prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Rule.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (e) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed
the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of
not more than 2 minutes sound four blasts in succession,
namely one prolonged followed by three short blasts.
When practicable, this signal shall be made immediately
after the signal made by the towing vessel.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (f) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed
ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they
shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall
give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of
this Rule.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than
one minute ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds. In a
vessel of 100 metres or more in length the bell shall be
sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately
after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded
rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in
succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one
short blast, to give warning of her position and of the
possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (h) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required
the gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and
shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on
the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the
bell. A vessel aground may in addition sound an appropriate
whistle signal.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (i) A vessel of 12 metres or more but less than 20 metres
in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals
prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule.
However, if she does not, she shall make some other
efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2
minutes.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (j) A vessel of less than 12 metres in length shall not be
obliged to give the above mentioned signals but, if she
does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at
intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (k) A pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in
addition to the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b)
or (g) of this Rule sound an identity signal consisting of
four short blasts.
 Sound Signals in Restricted
Visibility
• (l) Notwithstanding paragraph (j), in the Canadian waters of
a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, a
vessel that is
• (i) less than 12 metres in length,
(ii) built or converted for the purpose of pushing or
pulling any floating object, and
(iii) not located within a recognized mooring, storage
or booming area
shall sound the signals prescribed for a vessel of 12 metres
or more in length.