August 2013

Risk Management

BULLETIN The Britannia Steam Ship

Insurance Association Limited

Collision Regulation Posters

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
(COLREGs) have been in existence for 41 years, and must be
understood by all seafarers before they can pass an
examination to become a bridge watchkeeping officer.

Unfortunately, the analysis of a number of collision claims

handled by the Club shows that, the infringement of one or
more of the COLREGs is the single most common cause of
collisions. This is despite the advances in electronic assistance
for mariners on the bridge. These claims demonstrate an
apparent lack of understanding of the COLREGs by the
officer of the watch (OOW) and certainly a failure to apply
them properly.

The Club is now producing a series of posters, over a period of

twelve months, to remind bridge watchkeeping officers of the
requirements of COLREGs. Each poster will focus on common COLREGs rules: 2, 13 and 17 (Appendix 1).
scenarios, played out daily in the busy and congested seaways In the second poster, our ship appears to be getting into a
of the world, highlighting the appropriate COLREGs. complex situation by overtaking close down the port side of
another ship, and also running into a close quarters situation
with a crossing ship on the port bow. The OOW would like to
relinquish his responsibility to the master by casually asking
if he has the con.

Good bridge procedure should have made it clear who has

the ship con. The appearance of the master on the bridge
does not necessarily mean that he has taken control of the
ship’s navigation – he is possibly just after a cup of tea.

The OOW of the overtaking ship should be confirming that

they are in fact passing clear of the ship being overtaken,
and also observing – by radar plot and visual bearings –
what type of ship is crossing and whether it is in a close
quarters situation.

It is preferable, given adequate sea room, for the overtaking

COLREGs rules: 1 (a & b), 2, 7, 8, 16 and 18 (Appendix 1). ship to pass down the starboard side of the overtaken ship
The first poster depicts a scene where a power driven ship is allowing sufficient scope for an alteration of course to
making way and has a fishing boat on a steady bearing. The starboard for the crossing situation.
master of the ship is reluctant to alter course despite a close
quarters situation developing with the fishing boat, as he is It is hoped the posters, provided with this bulletin, will be
under pressure to maintain a tight schedule. displayed on the bridge or in the ship’s common room.

Safe navigation being paramount, the fact that the ship is The Managers may be approached for additional copies, and
late – say, due to an earlier break down or delay – does not the posters can also be downloaded from the Britannia website.
allow the master to deviate from these rules and he is obliged
to keep clear as directed by the COLREGs.

A substantial alteration of course to starboard that will be

readily apparent to the fishing boat crew and made in good
time will allow the ship to pass clear and resolve the situation,
with minimum disruption to the ship’s schedule.

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Risk Management BULLETIN August 2013 2

INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING Part B

COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972
(as amended by Resolutions A464(XII), A626(15), Rules 7 and 8 are from section 1 – Conduct of vessels in
A678(16), A736(18) and A.910(22)) any condition of visibility

Rule 1 Application Rule 7 Risk of collision

(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas (a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to
and in all waters connected therewith navigable by the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if
seagoing vessels. risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be
deemed to exist.
(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of
special rules made by an appropriate authority for roadsteads, (b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and
harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected with the operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early
high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent
rules shall conform as closely as possible to these Rules. systematic observation of detected objects.

(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of (c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty
any special rules made by the Government of any State with information, especially scanty radar information.
respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle
signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, (d) In determining if risk of collision exists the following
or with respect to additional station or signal lights or shapes considerations shall be among those taken into account:
for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These (i) such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing
additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change;
shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken
for any light, shape or signal authorised elsewhere under (ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an
these Rules. appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when
approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when
(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by the approaching a vessel at close range.
Organization for the purpose of these Rules.
Rule 8 Action to avoid collision
(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have (a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be taken in
determined that a vessel of any special construction or accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the
purpose cannot comply with the provisions of any of these circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample
Rules with respect to the number, position, range or arc of time and with due regard to the observance of good
visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and seamanship.
characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, such vessel
shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the (b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision
number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough
as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound- to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or
signalling appliances, as her Government shall have by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or
determined to be the closest possible compliance with these speed should be avoided.
Rules in respect of that vessel.
(c) If there is sufficient sea-room, alteration of course alone
Rule 2 Responsibility may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters
(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial
owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any and does not result in another close-quarters situation.
neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any
precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of (d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall
seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The
effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard other vessel is finally past and clear.
shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to
any special circumstances, including the limitations of the (e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess
vessels involved, which may make a departure from these the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way
Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.

(f ) (i) 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.

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Risk Management BULLETIN August 2013 3

(ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe Rule 18 Responsibilities between vessels
passage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation Except where Rules 9,10 and 13 otherwise require:
if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of
collision and shall, when taking action, have full regard to A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of
the action which may be required by the Rules of this Part. the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded
remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this Part (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
when the two vessels are approaching one another so as
to involve risk of collision. (iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;

Rules 13, 16, 17 and 18 are from Section II – Conduct of (iv) a sailing vessel.
vessels in sight of one another
(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
Rule 13 Overtaking (i) a vessel not under command;
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B,
Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming
up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 (c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as
degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with possible, keep out of the way of:
reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she (i) a vessel not under command;
would be able to see only the stern light of that vessel but
neither of her sidelights. (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is (d) (i) Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a
overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the
act accordingly. circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe
passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting
(d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two the signals in Rule 28.
vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel
within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty of (ii) A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate
keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past with particular caution having full regard to her special
and clear. condition.

Rule 16 Action by give-way vessel (e) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In
another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall
substantial action to keep well clear. comply with the Rules of this Part.

Rule 17 Action by stand-on vessel (f ) (i) A WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight
(a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and
other shall keep her course and speed avoid impeding their navigation;

(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid (ii) A WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply
collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon as it becomes with the Rules of this Part as a power-driven vessel.
apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the
way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with
these Rules.

(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her
course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot
be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she
shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

(c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing

situation in accordance with sub-paragraph (a)(ii) of this Rule
to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the
circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a
vessel on her own port side.

(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her
obligation to keep out of the way.

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