Maritime Law

Navigation Act 1901
Navigation (Collision) Regulations 1983

A full understanding and knowledge of collision regulations is paramount to safe operations by all vessels on the water.

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.

Rule 9 (b)

States that ‘a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate within a narrow channel or fairway’.

Rule 8 (f)(i)
States a vessel which by any of these rules is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel’.

Extracts from the Collision regulations

PART A – General 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

(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 sea-going vessels. Such special rules shall confirm as closely as possible to these rules.

Rule 3 General Definitions

(c) The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used

(d) 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

Rule 5 Look-out

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 7 Risk of collision (or the potential risk of a collision)

(a) Every vessel shall use all 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 fitting 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:

• such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
• such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing is evident, particularly when approaching a very long vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range

 

Rule 8 action to avoid Collision

(a) Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part 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.

(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.

(c) If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close quarters situation

(d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear

(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion

(f) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstance of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of another vessel

• A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of collision and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the Rules of this part
• A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this part when the two vessels are approaching on another so as to involve risk of collision

 

Rule 9 Narrow Channels

(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel for 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

(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway

(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34 (d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel

 

Rule 18 Responsibilities between Vessels

Except where Rules 9, 0 and 13 otherwise require:

A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command;
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
• a vessel engaged in fishing;
• a sailing vessel.

 A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
• a vessel engaged in fishing

A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.

A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.

A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this part.

A WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation;

A WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this part as a power-driven vessel. (NB: WIG - Wing In Ground Effect)

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