VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
2240 SPECIAL MANEUVERING RULES
2241 INDIVIDUAL ACTION TO AVOID DANGER
Ships, whether acting independently or in formation, must take such individual action as may be
required to avoid danger. When necessary, ships may leave their stations to avoid risk of collision or to
avoid navigational hazards.
2242 SPECIAL RULES OF THE ROAD
The following rules are applicable to Allied naval ships and overrule the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea in the circumstances described.
a. Right of Way. Priority is in the following order.
(1) Helicopters when hovering with sonar in the water are to be considered as ships not under
command. A helicopter in the dip or hover is not to be approached by ships within 500 yards.
(2) Mine Countermeasures Units, which includes helicopters operating tethered MCM equipment,
have the right of way when showing the appropriate signal over ships engaged in replenishment or
ships engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft. MCM helicopters with gear streamed are not to be
approached by ships within 1,000 meters.
(3) Ships Engaged in Replenishment (other than VERTREP) have the right of way over carriers
and other ships engaged in flight operations.
(4) Ships Engaged in Launching or Recovery of Landing Craft Utilities have the right of
way except over ships or formations showing the appropriate signals and are to be regarded as described
at the above stated priority configurations (1), (2) and/or (3).
(5) Ships Engaged in Launching or Recovery of Aircraft have the right of way except over
ships or formations showing the appropriate signals that are engaged in replenishment (other than VER-
TREP) or mine countermeasures operations; other ships are to keep clear (see Chapter 6).
(6) Ships Engaged in Launching or Recovery of Arrays have the right of way except over
ship formations showing the appropriate signals and are to be regarded as described at the above stated
priority configurations (1), (2), (3), (4), and/or (5).
b. Screen Ships. When a formation consists of a main body and screen, ships of the screen are to
keep clear of those of the main body. When, from any cause, a ship of the main body finds herself so close
that collision cannot be avoided by action of the screen ship alone, she also shall take such action as will
best avoid collision. Rule 15 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea is not to
apply between screen ships and ships of the main body (but see Chapter 3 for instructions for individual
screening units).
2243 SEA MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
With the exceptions stated in Article 2242, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea are to be observed by ships in formation. However, in order to facilitate maneuvering, the
instructions in this article are to be observed, but in each case where one ship is directed not to hamper the
other, the ship required to keep clear of the other is so to conduct her movements throughout that her
heading and/or proximity to the other are not such as to introduce any doubts whatsoever as to her
intentions. She should also, if possible, indicate her intentions by signal. However, if doubt does arise, the
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