From Martin Bartholomew – one of our instructors.
Rule of the Road for Day Skippers and Yachtmasters.
(for vessels in sight of one another)Â Â
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Keep a look out at all times;
See a ship, and do your rhymes.
If the bearing does not change,
Then action’s needed (at long range). (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 17
Action by stand-on vessel. This Rule is in Part B, Section II and therefore applies to vessels in sight of one another.
(a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed. (more…)
1 Comment » Rule 24
Towing and pushing.
Part C – Lights and Shapes
(a) A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:
(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow exceeds 200 metres, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) sidelights;
(iii) a sternlight;
(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight;
(v) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen. (more…)
Leave Comment » Both of these Rules are in Part C – Lights and Shapes
Rule 28 – Vessels constrained by their draught
A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder.
Rule 23 – Power-driven vessels underway (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 27 – Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. This Rule is in Part C Lights and Shapes.
(a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit:
(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen;
(ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen;
(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
(b) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit: (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 23 – Lights and Shapes for Power driven vessels underway. This rule is in Part C Lights and Shapes.
Power-driven vessels underway
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;
(iii) sidelights;
(iv) a sternlight. (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 7
Risk of Collision. This is in section 1 of Part B the Steering and Sailing Rules.  It therefore applies to the conduct of vessels in an y condition of visibility.
(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. (more…)
1 Comment » Rule 10 – Traffic Seperation Schemes. Applies to vessels in any condition of visibility.
(a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule.
(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
(i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;
(more…)
Leave Comment » Overtaking
This rule is in Section II so applies to vessels in sight of one another.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of part B, sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision
This rule is in Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules, Section 1 – so applies to vessels in any condition of visibility.
(a) Any action to avoid collision 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. (more…)
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