INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR

PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

• PART A – GENERAL (Rules 1 to 3)
Application, responsibility and definitions.

• PART B - STEERING AND SAILING RULES (Rules 4 to 19)

Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility, conduct of vessels within sight, and conduct in
restricted visibility.

• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES (Rules 20 to 30)

• PART D – SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS (Rules 32 to 37)

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• PART A – GENERAL
Rule 1. Application.
These rules apply to all vessels on the high seas and in all connected navigable waters. Governments can
make their own rules for their territorial waters but they must not be confused with anything in these
rules.

Rule 2. Responsibility.
The owner, master and crew of a vessel must comply with the rules and take all precautions, but there
may be a special circumstance when they cannot follow the rules to keep out of danger.

Rule 3. Definitions.
Vessel, power-driven vessel, sailing vessel, vessel engaged in fishing, vessel not under command, vessel
restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, vessel constrained by her draught, underway, making way, length,
breadth, vessels in sight of one another, and restricted visibility.
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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility
Rule 4. Application.

Rule 5. Lookout.
By sight, hearing and all available means in the prevailing conditions.

Ref source: Pinterest – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility

Rule 6. Safe speed.

The vessel must be able to stop to avoid collision. The stopping distance of the vessel must take into
account: visibility; traffic density; manoeuvrability of the vessel; background light; wind, sea state and
current; nearby dangers; and the underkeel clearance.
Vessels with radar must take additional precautions, according to the limitations of the radar set in use.

Ref source: sites.google.com – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility
Rule 7. Risk of collision.
If in any doubt about the risk of collision means that there is a risk. A risk will exist when the bearing of
another vessel does not change, and there may also be a risk when the bearing changes but the vessel
is large, it is towing, or it is seen at close range.
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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility
Rule 8. Action to avoid collision.
When taking action to avoid collision the action must be positive, substantial, taken in good time, and be
readily apparent to the other vessel. The action may be alteration of course or slowing down or both. It
must not result in a close quarters situation.
If the other vessel is manoeuvring with difficulty your vessel must keep out of the way, by taking early
action, and the other vessel must follow the rules.

Ref source: Future Seafarer – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility
Rule 9. Narrow channels.
Vessels in a channel must keep to the starboard side, overtake only when safe to do so, and sound the
appropriate signal (5 short blasts) when approaching a blind bend. Vessels of less than 20m, sailing and
fishing vessels must not impede the passage of vessels that can only navigate in the channel, and no
vessel should anchor in the channel unless its an emergency.

Ref source: Pinterest – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section l. Conduct of vessels in any
condition of visibility
Rule 10. Traffic Separation Schemes.
Vessels entering a scheme must do so at a small angle and follow the traffic direction, and avoid using the
separation zone between the lanes. Crossing vessels must cross the lanes at right angles. The inshore
zone is for small vessels, and large vessels should only use the inshore zone for approaching or leaving a
port.
Crossing vessels, fishing vessels and those in an emergency may use the separation zone.
At the termination areas vessels must use caution and not anchor there.
Only those vessels laying or servicing a submarine cable, or navigation mark, do not have to follow this
rule.
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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section ll. Conduct of vessels in sight of one
another.
Rule 11. This rule is for vessels in sight of each other.
Rule 12. Sailing vessels.
When approaching each other: with wind on opposite sides, the one with the wind on her port side
gives way; with wind on the same side, the one to windward gives way; and if a vessel has wind on her
port side and is in doubt about the other vessel, she should keep clear.

Ref source: Sail trip – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section ll. Conduct of vessels in sight of one
another.
Rule 13. Overtaking.
Overtaking vessels must keep clear of those being overtaken. If a vessel is in doubt about whether she is
overtaking then she must consider that she is. When overtaking she does not become a crossing vessel
and must keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken.

Ref source: sites.google.com – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section ll. Conduct of vessels in sight of one
another.
Rule 14. Head-on situation.
Vessels approaching on reciprocal courses must pass port to port. If a vessel is in doubt about whether
the situation is head-on she must consider that it is.

Rule 15. Crossing situation.

The vessel which has the other on her starboard side must give way when crossing.

Rule 16. Action by give-way vessel.

Take early and substantial action.

Ref source: MySeaTime accessed Jan 2019

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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section ll. Conduct of vessels in sight of one
another.
Rule 17. Action by stand-on vessel.
The stand-on vessel should maintain her course and speed. If the give-way vessel does not take action
then she must avoid a collision. When taking action these vessels must avoid altering to port towards a
vessel on their port side.

Ref source: Boat Safety Cape Coral Florida – accessed Jan 2020
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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section ll. Conduct of vessels in sight of one
another.

Rule 18. Responsibilities between vessels.

Power-driven vessels keep clear of: vessels not under command (NUC); vessels restricted in their ability
to manoeuvre; fishing vessels and sailing vessels.
Sailing vessels keep clear of: vessels NUC; vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre; and fishing
vessels.
Fishing vessels keep clear of: vessels NUC; and vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.
All vessels except those NUC and restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, shall keep clear of vessels
constrained by their draught.
RAM = Restricted in Ability to
Manoeuvre
PDV = Power Driven Vessel
NUC = Not Under Command

Ref source: The Seamanship Centre –

accessed Jan 2020
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• PART B – STEERING AND SAILING RULES – Section lll. Conduct of vessels in restricted
visibility.

Rule 19. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility.

Vessels must proceed at a safe speed and be ready to manoeuvre their engines.
If a close quarters situation is developing a vessel must avoid altering to port for a vessel forward of the
beam, and avoid altering towards another vessel abeam or abaft the beam.
Any vessel which hears the fog signal of a ship forward of her beam shall slow down or stop and navigate
with extreme caution until any danger of collision is over.
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 20. Application.
Part C rules apply in all weather. Lights must be shown from sunset to sunrise and during poor visibility,
and shapes must be shown during daylight.

Rule 21. Definitions.

Masthead light.
Sidelights.
Sternlight.
Towing light.
All round light.
Flashing light (>120 flashes per min.)
Ref source: Slide player –accessed Jan 2020
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 22. Visibility of lights.

Vessels of 50m or more in length: 6 miles for the masthead light, and 3 miles for sidelights, sternlight,
towing light and all round lights.
Vessels of more than 12 and less than 50m in length: 5 miles for the masthead light, and 2 miles for
sidelights, sternlight, towing light and all round lights.
Vessels of less than 20m in length: 3 miles for the masthead light, and 2 miles for sidelights, sternlight,
towing light and all round lights.
Vessels of less than 12m in length: 2 miles for masthead light, sternlight, towing light and all round
lights, and 1 mile for sidelights.
Vessels being towed must show an all round white light of 3 miles visibility.
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 23. (a) Power-driven vessels underway.

These vessels must show a masthead light, sidelights and a sternlight, and those over 50m a second
masthead light abaft and higher than the first light.

‘Ref source: RYA Training Centre – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
• Rule 23. (b) An air cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to
the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.

Ref source: Moodle.org – accessed Jan 2020

Ref source: BBC News Magazine – 9.11.2015
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 23. (c) A WIG (Wing in Ground) craft, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in
addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit a high intensity all-round flashing red
light.

‘Ref source: Ship Technology – AirFish 8 WIG craft

– accessed Jan 2020
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 23. (d) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may, instead of the lights for a larger
vessel, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights. And a power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres in
length may also exhibit an all-round white light, and sidelights if possible.

‘Ref source: Boat Georgia course - accessed

Jan 2020
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 24. (a) Power-driven vessel when towing.
This vessel must show 2 masthead lights (tow < 200m) or 3 masthead lights (tow > 200m), sidelights and a
sternlight, and a towing light above the sternlight.
By day, a diamond shape if the tow > 200m.

Ref source: Pinterest – accessed Jan 2020

Ref source: Sea secure – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 24. (b) Power-driven vessel pushing ahead.

This vessel must show 2 masthead lights in a vertical line,
sidelights and a sternlight, except if its a composite unit
with the vessel being pushed (and it will therefore show
the lights as if it was a single power-driven vessel).

Ref source: apan.net – accessed Jan 2020 Ref source: My Photos My Life 10.03.2013
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 24. Vessel being towed.
A vessel being towed must show sidelights and a sternlight, and if tow > 200m a diamond shape day signal.

Ref source: Pro Profs – accessed Jan 2020

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 24. Partly submerged object being towed. If greater than 25m wide it must have all-round white
lights at each side, in addition to the white lights at the forward and aft ends.

Ref source: Steam Community – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 25. Sailing vessels. When under way they must exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, and may exhibit all-
round, red over green lights at the top of the main mast.

Ref source: OLS Australia – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 25. Sailing vessels. A vessel under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward,
where it can best be seen, a conical shape, apex downwards.

Ref source: Go Sailing – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 26. Fishing and trawling vessels.

TRAWLING

Ref source: Sailing issues – accessed Jan 2019

FISHING
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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 27. Vessel not under command.

Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Ref source: Sailing issues – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 27. (d) Vessel dredging.

Reference source: Google sites – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 27 (e). Vessel engaged in diving operations.

Ref source: Google sites – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 27 (f). Vessel engaged in mine clearance operations.

All vessels to keep 1000m away.

Ref source: Google sites – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 28. Vessel constrained by her draught. Day shape is a black cylinder. Night signal is 3 all round red
lights in a vertical line, in addition to normal steaming lights.

Ref source: Steam community – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 29. Vessel on pilotage duty. White over red all round lights, in addition to sidelights and sternlight.

Ref source: Google sites – accessed Jan 2019

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• PART C – LIGHTS AND SHAPES
Rule 30 (b) Vessel <50m
Rule 30. (a) Vessel at anchor.

Rule 30 (c) Vessels >100m can use deck lights to illuminate the ship.
Rule 30. (d) Vessel aground.

Ref source: Google sites –

accessed Jan 2019
Rule 31: Seaplanes and WIG craft
These craft shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position to Rule 30
as is possible.

Ref source: Practical Boat Owner – 16.03.2013

Ref source: i3 magazine – accessed Jan 2019
 COLREGS
Part D. Sound and Light Signals
• Rule 31. Definitions.

• A “whistle” must be able to produce the sound blasts required.

• A “short blast” has a duration of one second.
• A “prolonged blast” has a duration of 4 to 6 seconds.
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Part D. Sound and Light Signals
• Rule 33. Sound signalling equipment.

Vessel >12m has a whistle.

Vessel ≥20m has a bell and a whistle.
Vessel ≥100m has a bell, a whistle and a gong.
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• Rule 34. (a) and (b) manoeuvring and warning signals.
One short blast = I am altering course to starboard. (or one flash)
Two short blasts = I am altering course to port. (or two flashes)
Three short blasts = I am going astern. (or three flashes)

• Rule 34. (c) Vessel overtaking another vessel in a channel.

Two prolonged and one short blast = I am overtaking you on your starboard side.
Two prolonged and two short blasts = I am overtaking you on your port side.

The vessel being overtaken shall reply with: one prolonged, one short and one prolonged blast.

Rule 34 (d) If in any doubt about another ship’s intentions, a ship shall signal 5 short blasts on her whistle.
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• Rule 34. (e) A vessel approaching a bend in a channel, where a vessel approaching from
the other side may be obscured, should sound one prolonged blast.
• The signal should be answered with one prolonged blast by the other vessel.
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• Rule 35. Sound signals in restricted visibility.

A power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at 2 min intervals.

A power-driven vessel underway but stopped sounds 2 prolonged blasts at 2 min intervals.

Ref source: All at sea – accessed Jan 2019

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• Rule 35. Sound signals in restricted visibility.

Vessels NUC, restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, constrained by their draft, sailing, fishing and towing
must sound 3 blasts (one prolonged and 2 short blasts) at 2 min intervals.

A vessel at anchor shall ring the bell in the forepart for 5 seconds. For a vessel >100m the bell ringing must
be followed by sounding the gong for 5 seconds in the aft part.

A ship at anchor can warn an approaching ship by sounding 3 blasts (one short, one prolonged and one
short).

A pilot vessel can sound its identity with four short blasts.
COLREGS
• Rule 36. Signals to attract attention.
• Sound or light signals may be used to attract the attention of another vessel.
However, these must not be confused with any other signal in these rules.

• Sound is probably the best to attract attention. For example: 5 short blasts means:
“What are your intentions?”
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• Rule 37. Distress signals.

Gun fired at intervals of 1 minute.

Continuous sounding of whistle.

Rockets throwing red stars one at a time at short intervals.

A signal consisting of S O S in Morse Code

. . . ___ ___ ___ . . .

A spoken signal by radiotelephone - MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

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• Rule 37. Distress signals contd.

Code signal flags N C.

A signal with a square flag above or below a ball.

Flames from a burning barrel.

Ref source: Safe skipper – accessed Jan 2019

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• Rule 37. Distress signals contd.

A rocket parachute flare or red hand flare.

A smoke signal giving off orange smoke.

Slowly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side.

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• Rule 37. Distress signals contd.

Radiotelegraph alarm signal.

Radiotelephone alarm signal.

Ref source: Transport Safety – accessed Jan 2019

Signals transmitted by EPIRB ( emergency position-indicating radio beacon).

Signals transmitted by survival craft radar transponders.

Ref source: Marine Insight – accessed Jan 2019

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• Rule 37. Distress signals contd.

Signals that can be identified from the air.

A piece of orange canvas with a black square and a circle:

Other appropriate symbols:

Rule 38. Exemptions
An administration may grant a ship certain exemptions in complying with these
rules.
In modern times it is rare for a ship to be granted an exemption.
Ref source: Cigit Karikaturize –
accessed Jan 2019