Week 2

Instructor’s Guide

Subject: COLREGS
Topic: Part A – General 2.1 ( Rules 1 to 3 )

LOs: At the end of the session the student

should be able to :

2.1 Explain the applicability of COLREGS, 1972, as amended with regard to the
limits of territorial seas.
2.2 Outline the responsibilities of the Master, crew, and shipowner in complying
with COLREGS, 1972, as amended.
2.3 Explain the terms used in COLREGS, 1972, as amended as outlined in Rule 3.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

RULE 1 - APPLICATION

(a). These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters
connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

(b). Nothing in these Rules shall interfere

with the operation of special rules made by
an appropriate authority for roadsteads,
harbours, rivers, lakes, or inland waterways
connected with the high seas and navigable by
seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall
conform as closely as possible to these
Rules.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

Meaning: A harbour or port authority or a country may make some special rules for their port
approaches or rivers or anchorage areas; in that case, the COLREGS shall not cause confusion in
having an opposing view to the rules. These special rules if made shall remain restricted only to
the defined areas as stated “roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways“. The
appropriate authority would be the body in control of the area concerned. However, the rules
that a country or port makes shall not be too dissimilar to the COLREGS so as to minimize
confusion and errors, thus reducing potential accidents.

For example, such special rules exist and are applicable in inland waters of Japan and within
the US. The inland rules of the US begin to apply to all traffic within 3 miles of the US coast.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

(c). Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of

any special rules made by the Government of any State with
respect to the additional station or signal lights, shapes, or
whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under
convoy, or with respect to the additional station or signal
lights or shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet.
These additional station or signal lights, shapes, or whistle signals
shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for
any light, shape, or signal authorized elsewhere under these
Rules.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

Meaning: If a country has made any special rules which may make it compulsory
for ships and boats to show additional stations or signals or lights for warships or
for fishing fleets, then these special rules will again be such that they should not be
confusing to a seagoing vessel i.e. they should not be similar to another signal in the
COLREGS with a different meaning.

This point covers two aspects: 

1.additional station or signal lights, shapes, or whistle signals  – ships of war or
vessels proceeding under convoy.
2.additional station or signal lights, shape–fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a
fleet.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

(d). Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by the Organization for the purpose
of these Rules.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

(e). Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of
special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of
these Rules with respect to the number, position, range, or arc of visibility of lights or
shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signaling appliances,
such vessel shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number,
position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and
characteristics of sound-signaling appliances, as her Government shall have
determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect of that
vessel.
 RULE 1 - APPLICATION

Meaning: If a specially constructed ship (aircraft carrier), which due to the

nature of the equipment fitted does not have places where to fit the lights or
shapes as required by the COLREGS as specified in the annexes, then a
government may allow these special ships to carry their lights or shapes in a
different place, but it shall make sure that these are the closest deviation from
the COLREGS. That is they are almost similar to those fitted on regular ships.
 RULE 2 - RESPONSIBILITY

RULE 2 - RESPONSIBILITY

(a). Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner,
master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to
comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may
be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special
circumstances of the case.
 RULE 2 - RESPONSIBILITY

(b). In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be
had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special
circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which
may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate
danger.
 COMMENTARY

COLREGs Rule 2 - Responsibility - North P&I Club

https://www.nepia.com › publications 
 COMMENTARY

COLREGs Rule 2 - Responsibility - North P&I Club

https://www.nepia.com › publications 
 COMMENTARY

COLREGs Rule 2 - Responsibility - North P&I Club

https://www.nepia.com › publications 
 COMMENTARY

COLREGs Rule 2 - Responsibility - North P&I Club

https://www.nepia.com › publications 
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:

(a). The word “vessel” includes every description of watercraft, including non-displacement
craft, WIG craft, and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation
on water.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(b). The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled

by machinery.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

c). The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling
machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

d). The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other
fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling
lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(e). The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the
water.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(f). The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel that through some
exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and
is, therefore, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(g). The term “vessel restricted

in her ability to maneuver”
means a vessel which from the
nature of her work is restricted in
her ability to maneuver as
required by these Rules and is,
therefore, unable to keep out of
the way of another vessel. The
term “vessels restricted in their
ability to maneuver” shall
include but not be limited to:
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or

picking up a navigation mark, submarine
cable, or pipeline;
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying, or underwater operations ;

 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions, or cargo

while underway;
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;

 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;

 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(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.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(h) The term 'vessel constrained by her draught' means a power-driven vessel that
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.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(i) The word 'underway' means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made
fast to the shore, or aground.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(j) The words 'length' and 'breadth' of a vessel mean her length overall and greatest
breadth.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(k) Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can
be observed visually from the other.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(l) The term 'restricted visibility' means any condition in which visibility is restricted by
fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
 RULE 3 – GENERAL DEFINITION

(m) The term 'Wing-In-

Ground (WIG) craft' means a
multimodal craft that, in its
main operational mode, flies
in close proximity to the
surface by utilizing surface-
effect action.
Remember
1. It is always your responsibility to avoid a collision.
2. Your responsibility is not only to follow COLREGs – you are also
responsible for doing everything necessary to avoid the risk of collision and
the dangers of navigation.
3. If a departure from COLREGs is necessary to avoid immediate danger you
would not only be justified in departing from them but may be expected to
do so.
4. Other vessels might have already deviated from the rules to avoid
immediate danger. So be careful while applying these rules.

Written by Raitis Kirsakmens

Master Mariner AFNI
Thank you!