11 BT Nov 2017 for archive

RYA GUIDE TO COLREGS
DO YOU KNOW YOUR
The harrowing images of the gaping hole in
the side of USS John S McCain in August - an
incident that resulted in the loss of 10 lives –
provided a sobering reminder that collisions at
sea happen to even the best equipped vessels.
Technology will protect you so far, but when
it comes to ensuring safety at sea, it’s human
action that ultimately determines the outcome
in avoiding collisions.
This is why learning and understanding the
International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea - the COLREGS - is essential
for anyone skippering a vessel of any size
regardless of how close to shore they might be.
As Rule 1 of the COLREGS states, ‘These rules
shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas
and in all waters connected therewith navigable
by seagoing vessels.’
Quite simply, the COLREGS are Highway Code
of the sea.
But they are not guidance to help skippers
know who has ‘right of way’ in potential
collision situations. They are the law and
a proven breach - even if a collision hasn’t
occurred - is a criminal offence with a
maximum penalty of two years in prison and/
or an unlimited fi ne determined by a Law
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Court, depending on the severity. So what are
the essential things you need to get to grips
with? Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager,
explains: “The headline-grabbing images of
collisions involving big ships might catch the
eye, but when you’re cruising in busy waters
during peak season are you thinking about who
should be giving way to who?
“If you ended up in a situation where suddenly
you were in danger of colliding with another
vessel, would you know whose responsibility is
it to get out of the way? Who would be culpable
if a collision, or even a near miss, occurred?
“The COLREGS were introduced to make it
clear when you are the stand on vessel, when
you are the give way vessel and what the
correct action to take is when in close quarters
with other vessels to avoid a collision.
“All recreational boaters – whether motor or
sail – should familiarise themselves thoroughly
with the COLREGS. Pleading ignorance in any
prosecution case is not going to hold sway in
court.”
What are the COLREGS?
The current edition of the COLREGS was
adopted in 1972 but the Rules have been
amended several times since. There are 38
separate Rules and although some are aimed
primarily at large commercial vessels, in
principle they still apply to all vessels.
The Rules are divided into fi ve parts A-E -
General Rules (A), Steering and Sailing (B),
Lights and Shapes (C), Sound and Light (D) and
Exemptions (E).
Although a good working knowledge of all the
COLREGS is essential, the Part B steering and
sailing rules (Rules 4-19) are likely to be most
relevant to small pleasure craft operating in
daylight, with good weather and good visibility.
Some in Part B are general good behaviour
rules while others are very specifi c, prescribed
obligations. For example, Rule 9 determines,
amongst other things, that a small vessel must
not impede a vessel that is so big it can only
navigate safely in a narrow channel or fairway.
Additionally, the Part C lights and shapes
rules dictate not only what day shapes and
navigation lights a vessel must display to
indicate its status to other vessels, but when
and what sound and light signals it must make.
When it comes to sailing vessels, skippers
should note although a tri-colour navigation
light is permitted under the COLREGs (under