Unit 33

COLLISION REGULATIONS (COLREGS)

Basic terms
sailing vessel
vessel engaged in fising
vessel n!t "nder c!mmand
(NUC)
vessel "nder #a$
vessel restricted in er
a%ilit$ t! man!e"vre
ead&!n sit"ati!n
cr!ssing sit"ati!n
give&#a$ vessel
stand&!n vessel
C!llisi!n R"les
COLREGS
c!nd"ct !f si's
SOLAS C!nventi!n
R"le !f te R!ad
ligts and sa'es
s!"nd signals
restricted visi%ilit$
steering and sailing r"les
miscellane!"s signals
'!#er&driven vessel
!verta(ing
ris( !f c!llisi!n
navigati!n)steaming ligts
%last
t! alter !f c!"rse
The International Rules were formalized in the Convention on the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and beame effetive on !ul" 1#,
1977$ The Rules %ommonl" alled 72 C&'R()S* are +art of the Convention, and
vessels fl"ing the flags of states ratif"ing the treat" are bound to the Rules$
The 72 C&'R()S were develo+ed b" the Inter,)overnmental -aritime Consultative
&rganization %I-C&* whih in -a" 19.2 was renamed the International -aritime
&rganization %I-&*$ In /ovember 19.1, I-&0s 1ssembl" ado+ted ## amendments to the
72 C&'R()S whih beame effetive on !une 1, 19.2$ The I-& also ado+ted 9
more amendments whih beame effetive on /ovember 19, 19.9$
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS *OR +RE,ENTING
COLLISIONS AT SEA -./0
(as amended %$ Res!l"ti!ns A121(3II)4 A202(-5)4 A2/6(-2) and A/32(-6))
Ta%le !f C!ntents
R"les
+ART A GENERAL - & 3
+ART B STEERING AN7 SAILING RULES
Setion I , Condut of vessels in an" onditions of visibilit" 3 , 14
Setion II , Condut of vessels in sight of one another 11 , 1.
Setion III , Condut of vessels in restrited visibilit" 19
+ART C LIG8TS AN7 S8A+ES 09 & 3-
+ART 7 SOUN7 AN7 LIG8T SIGNALS 30 & 3/
+ART E E3E:+TIONS 36
ANNE3 I +OSITIONING AN7 TEC8NICAL 7ETAILS O*
LIG8TS AN7 S8A+ES
ANNE3 II A77ITIONAL SIGNALS *OR *IS8ING ,ESSELS
*IS8ING IN CLOSE +RO3I:IT;
ANNE3 III TEC8NICAL 7ETAILS O* SOUN7 SIGNAL
A++LIANCES
ANNE3 I, 7ISTRESS SIGNALS
PART A - GENERAL
Rule 3
General definitions
For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:
(a) The word vessel includes every description of water craft, including non-
displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capale of eing used as a means of
transportation on water!
() The term power-driven vessel means any vessel propelled y machinery!
(c) The term sailing vessel means any vessel under sail provided that
propelling machinery, if fitted, is not eing used!
(d) The term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets,
lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvraility, ut does
not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do
not restrict manoeuvraility!
(e) The word seaplane includes any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the
water!
(f) The term vessel not under coand means a vessel which through some
exceptional circumstance is unale to manoeuvre as required y these Rules and
is therefore unale to "eep out of the way of another vessel!
(g) The term #vessel restricted in her a!ilit" to anoeuvre means a vessel
which from the nature of her wor" is restricted in her aility to manoeuvre as
required y these Rules and is therefore unale to "eep out of the way of another
vessel! The term #vessels restricted in their aility to manoeuvre$ shall include ut
not e limited to:
(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or pic"ing up a navigation mar",
sumarine cale or pipeline%
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations%
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or
cargo while underway%
(iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft%
(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations%
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing
vessel and her tow in their aility to deviate from their course!
(h) The term vessel constrained !" her draught means a power-driven
vessel which, ecause of her draught in relation to the availale depth and width
of navigale water, is severely restricted in her aility to deviate from the course
she is following!
(i) The word underwa" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to
the shore, or aground!
(&) The words #length$ and #readth$ of a vessel mean her length overall and
greatest readth!
(") 'essels shall e deemed to e in sight of one another only when one can
e oserved visually from the other!
(l) The term restricted visi!ilit" means any condition in which visiility is
restricted y fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other
similar causes!
htt+566www$imo$org6Conventions
Rule of the road, powered vessels
Rule of the road, sailing vessels
1 on starboard ta7 has right of wa" over
8 on +ort ta7
9indward boat 8 gives wa" to leeward
boat 1
Collision Rules inlude a set of thirt",eight internationall" agreed
rules whih govern the ondut of shi+s at sea in order to +revent
ollisions between them$ The" are om+iled b" the International
Convention for Safet" of 'ife at Sea and are 7nown offiiall" as
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or
ollo:uiall" as the Rule of the Road$
The thirt",eight rules are divided into si; +arts, whih over
definitions, lights and sha+es to be arried b" vessels at night or
da" b" whih the" an be reognized, sound signals and ondut in
restrited visibilit", steering and sailing rules to 7ee+ vessels a+art
when the" are a++roahing eah other, sound signals for vessels in
sight of one another, and misellaneous signals, suh as distress
signals, et$
&f the definiti!ns laid down, the most im+ortant are those whih
define a +owerdriven vessel and a sailing vessel$ 1n" form of
mehanial +ro+ulsion, inluding oars, ounts as a +ower,driven
vessel$
The ligts laid down to be arried under the Rule of the Road
serve two +ur+oses$ The navigation %or steaming* lights arried b"
a shi+ are so designed and +laed that an" other shi+ sighting them
an tell reasonabl" auratel" the ourse of the vessel arr"ing
them$ &ther lights laid down b" the Rule of the Road are designed
to indiate the t"+e of vessel and her atual em+lo"ment$
S!"nd signals are used b" shi+s in fog or restrited visibilit"$ 1
+ower,driven vessel gives one +rolonged blast ever" two minutes
on her whistle or siren when she is ma7ing wa" through the water,
and two +rolonged blasts ever" two minutes if she is under wa" but
sto++ed$ If she has anhored, she rings her shi+<s bell ra+idl" for
five seonds ever" two minutes$
The most im+ortant grou+ of rules are the steering and sailing
r"les4 whih la" down the +roedure to be followed when shi+s
a++roah eah other and there is a danger of ollision$ These
situations are alled cl!se&<"arters sit"tai!ns$ If, for e;am+le,
two shi+s are a++roahing eah other ead !n, both must alter
ourse to starboard %or to the right* so that the" +ass eah other
+ort side to +ort side$ 9here a vessel is on the starboard hand of
another, and steering a cr!ssing ourse whih ma" result in a
ollision, she has the right of wa" and should maintain her ourse
and s+eed, the other vessel giving wa" to her$ 9here a vessel is on
the +ort hand %side* of another, and her ourse, if she maintains it,
ma" result in a ollision, she is the giving wa" vessel and must
alter ourse to avoid the other$ 8ut an" shi+ !verta(ing another,
i$e$, a++roahing at an" angle from two +oints %22$#=* abaft the
beam on either side, must 7ee+ lear$ 9hen a vessel has the dut" of
giving wa" to another under the rules, she normall" does so b"
altering ourse to +ass astern of the other, and should ma7e a lear
and signifiant alteration of ourse in +lent" of time to indiate to
the other vessel that she is ta7ing the a++ro+riate ation$
Close-quarters situations:
1. Overtaking Manoeuver
2. Crossing situation 3. Head-on situation
Part #$ %TEER&NG AN' %A&L&NG R(LE%
Rule )3
Overtaking
(a) (otwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of )art *, +ections , and ,,,
any vessel overta"ing any other shall "eep out of the way of the vessel eing
overta"en!
() - vessel shall e deemed to e overta"ing when coming up with another
vessel from a direction more than ..!/ degrees aaft her eam, that is, in such a
position with reference to the vessel she is overta"ing, that at night she would e
ale to see only the stern light of that vessel ut neither of her sidelights!
(c) 0hen a vessel is in any dout as to whether she is overta"ing another, she
shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly!
(d) -ny susequent alteration of the earing etween the two vessels shall not
ma"e the overta"ing vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules
or relieve her of the duty of "eeping clear of the overta"en
vessel until she is finally past and clear!
Rule )*
Head-on situation
(a) 0hen two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal
courses so as to involve ris" of collision each shall alter her course to staroard
so that each shall pass on the port side of the other!
() +uch a situation shall e deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead
or nearly ahead and y night she would see the mast head lights of the other in a
line or nearly in a line andl or oth sidelights and y day she oserves the
corresponding aspect of the other vessel!
(c) 0hen a vessel is in any dout as to whether such a situation exists she shall
assume that it does exist and act accordingly!
Rule )+
Crossing situation
0hen two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve ris" of collision, the
vessel which has the other on her own staroard side shall "eep out of the way
and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the
other vessel!
Rule ),
Action by give-way vessel
1very vessel which is directed to "eep out of the way of another vessel shall, so
far as possile, ta"e early and sustantial action to "eep well clear!
Rule )-
Action by stand-on vessel
(a) (i) 0here one of two vessels is to "eep out of the way the other shall "eep her
course and speed!
(ii) The latter vessel may however ta"e action to avoid collision y her manoeuvre
alone, as soon as it ecomes apparent to her that the vessel required to "eep out
of the way is not ta"ing appropriate action in compliance with these Rules!
() 0hen, from any cause, the vessel required to "eep her course and speed
finds herself so close that collision cannot e avoided y the action of the give-
way vessel alone, she shall ta"e such action as will est aid to avoid collision!
(c) - power-driven vessel which ta"es action in a crossing situation in ccordance
with su-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 oligation to "eep out of
the way!
Rule ).
Responsibilities between vessels
1xcept where Rules 2,34 and 35 otherwise require:
(a) - power-driven vessel underway shall "eep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command%
(ii) a vessel restricted in her aility to manoeuvre%
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing%
(iv) a sailing vessel!
() - sailing vessel underway shall "eep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command%
(ii) a vessel restricted in her aility to manoeuvre%
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing!
(c) - vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possile, "eep out
of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command%
(ii) a vessel restricted in her aility to manoeuvre!
(d) (i) -ny vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel
restricted in her aility to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained y her draught,
exhiiting the signals in Rule .6!
(ii) - vessel constrained y her draught shall navigate with particular
caution having full regard to her special condition!
(e) - seaplane on the water shall, in general, "eep well clear of all vessels and
avoid impeding their navigation! ,n circumstances, however, where ris" of
collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this )art!
I-& ST1/>1R> -1RI/( C&--?/IC1TI&/ P@R1S(S, 2441
161 >istress Traffi
161$1$2 A C!llisi!n
I have collided with MV ... .
I have collided with unknown vessel /object / seamark / iceberg.
MV ... has collided with MV... .
What is damage
-I have minor/major damage above/below water line.
-!ro"eller/rudder damaged.
-I can onl# "roceed at slow s"eed.
-I am not under command.
Can #ou re"air damage
- $es% I can re"air damage.
- &o% I cannot re"air damage.
What kind o' asistance do #ou require
-I require escort /tugs.
-I require (
MV(has major damage above/below water line.
MV(under command.
MV(not under command.
)ccording to m# radar% #our course does not com"l# with International *egulations
'+or !reventing Collisions at ,ea.
$ou are not com"l#ing with tra''ic regulations.
$ou are not kee"ing to correct lane.
A= C!m'reensi!n > v!ca%"lar$
A=- C!m'lete te f!ll!#ing sentences?
1$ The rule of the road is om+iled b" BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
2$The si; main +arts of the Collision Rules are BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
2$>istress signals are laid down in the +art of the Colregs alled BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
3$1 +ower,driven vessel is a vessel driven b" BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
#$'ights laid down under the Collision Rules are +laed so that the other shi+ an
C$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
7$ 'ights are also designed to indiate BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
.$1 vessel ma7ing wa" through the water gives
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBblastBBBBBBBBBBBB$
9$1 vessel anhored rings BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
14$Steering and sailing rules la" down the ations to be ta7en if two
vesselsBBBBBBBBBBBBBand ifBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
11$8oth shi+s must alter ourse to starboard if BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
12$9hen two vessels are a++roahing on rossing bearings, the one having the other
on her starboard side shall BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB$
).- ,u""l# the missing words using the words in the brackets:
c!"rses @ alter = sigt @ %last = ris( = acc!rdance @
'!#er @ '!rtside @ r"les @ c!llisi!n
R"le -/
9hen two vessels are in 1$ BBBBBBBBBBBB of one another and 2$ BBBBBBBBBBB of
ollision e;ists, the steering and sailing 2$BBBBBBBBBB +rovide for mutual ation so that
3$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBis avoided$
Thus, when two #$BBBBBBBBBBBBdriven vessels are meeting on rei+roal C$BBBBBBBBBBB
so as to involve a ris7 of ollision, eah is direted b" Rule 13 to 7$BBBBBBBBBBBBB
ourse to starboard, so that eah ma" +ass on the .$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBof the other$ (ah
vessel should indiate that she is altering ourse to starboard b" sounding one short
9$BBBBBBBBBBBBB on the whistle in 14$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB with Rule 23$
).. ,u""l# the missing words:
@ g!vern @ 'r!ceed @ (ee' @ %ear

R"le .
9hen 1$ BBBBBBBBBBBB along narrow hannels, Rule 9 direts that the +ower driven
vessel should 2$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB to the starboard side of the hannel$ It must be 2$
BBBBBBBBBBB in mind that navigation in man" harbours and inland waters is 3$
BBBBBBBBBBBBBB b" the b",laws made b" loal authorities$
)./ ,tud# the 'igure below and 'ill in the 'ollowing missing words:
@ #ite @ green @ red @ sideligt @ visi%llit$ @ steaming @ lengt @ star%!ard @ #a$ @
c!llisi!n @ reg"lati!ns @ c!llisi!n @ c!llisi!n=
Navigati!n ligts&arcs !f visi%ilit$
/avigation lights
/avigation lights are laid down under the International 1$BBBBBBBBBBBBBfor Preventing
2$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBat Sea whih vessels must dis+la" when under 2$ BBBBBBBBBBat
sea at night$ The" inlude a 3$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBlight on the mast %two lights if the
vessel is over 1#4 feet in #$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBwith the seond light abaft of and higher
than the first*, red and C$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBsidelights to +ort and 7$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
res+etivel", and a ..6.6.6#6$ BBBBBBBBBBBBstern light$ Their ars of 9$ BBBBBBBBBBBBB
are stritl" laid down so that it is +ossible to Dudge the ourse of a shi+ at night b"
stud"ing the to14$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB lights whih are D visible to an observer$
&ther 11$ BBBBBBBBBBBB lights are laid down to indiate various t"+es of vessel at sea,
suh as a fishing raft, tugs with vessels in tow, et$ Small sailing vessels are not re:uired
to arr" the light on the mast12$ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB and green 12$ BBBBBBBBBalone are
neessar" under the regulations$

).0 ,u""l# the a""ro"riate "hrase:
@ n!t "nder c!mmand @ all&r!"nd @ !verta(tng ligt
at intervals @ in '!!r visi%ilit$ = "nder #a$ @
tr!"g te #ater @ %$ da$
Ligts
1 vessel l$BBBBBBBBBBBBat night, but 2$BBBBBBBBBBBand sto++ed, hoists two 2$BBBBBBBB
red lights, one above the other, visible two miles, and swithes off all other navigation
lights$ If she is ma7ing wa" 3$ BBBBBBBBBBBBB she shows bow lights and an
#$BBBBBBBBBBB in addition$ C$BBBBBBBBBBBBshe hoists two bla7
balls$7$BBBBBBBBBBBBBB da" or night, she sounds one long blast followed b" two short
blasts .$BBBBBBBBBBBBBof not more than one minute$
).1 Suppl the following !issing words or ter!s"
forward E anhor E a+art E balls E all,round lights E length E visible E stern
,essel agr!"nd
9hat are the da" and night signals for a vessel agroundF She shall show b" night the
1$BBBBBBBBBBBBfor a vessel at 2$ BBBBBBBBBBBB$ If she is 1#4 feet or more in
2$BBBBBBBBBBBshe shall show one white light forward and at or near the
3$BBBBBBBBBBBanother suh light not 1# feet lower than the #$BBBBBBBBBBBBlight$ 8oth
lights are to be C$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBnot less than 2 miles$ 8" da" she shall e;hibit 2 bla7
7$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBeah not less than 2 feet in diameter in a vertial line over the other,
not less than C feel,.$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
).2 Choose the right answer:
1$ Gou are steaming in dense fog and hear a whistle signal ahead ,
one +rolonged blast followed b" three short blasts$ It is5
a* a fishing vessel engaged in trawling
b* a vessel being towed
* a +ilot vessel underwa" and ma7ing a s+eial signala
d* a vessel not under ommand
2$ 9hen she is not at anhor, made fast to the shore, or aground, a vessel is5
a* underwa"
b* ma7ing wa"
* dead in the water
d* a +ower,driven vessel
2$ 9hih of the following da" signals should be dis+la"ed b" a vessel agroundF
a* anhor balls forward and three bla7 balls
b* anhor ball forward and two bla7 balls
* two bla7 balls where best seen
d* three bla7, balls where best seen
3$ 1 vessel on the high seas whih is not under ommand shall dis+la" b" da"5
a* two bla7 balls
b* three bla7 balls
* two red balls
d* three red balls
#$ Three bla7 balls in a vertial line indiate5
a* a vessel aground
b* a vessel not under ommand
* a +ilot on board
d* a vessel in distress
C$ 1 +ower,driven vessel underwa" would5
a* show sidelights and a stern light
b* show sidelights and a stern light onl" when ma7ing wa" through the water
* not show an" range lights when sto++ing
d* never need to arr" an after range light %range light H additional, o+tional
masthead light*
#e" $a, 1%, 2a, &a,'a, 3d,
).3 4ill in the Master+s answers 567 to the 8udge+s questions 5)7 in the bo9 below
choosing 'rom the 'ollowing list:
;es4 tin( tat te first c!llisi!n '"sed "s !ver t! star%!ard
I #as <"ite certain (s"re) tat te a''r!acing vessel #as !%serving "s
I didnAt (n!#4 %"t if a''r!acing vessel ad ten s#"ng t! star%!ard4 te
c!llisi!n #!"ld ave %een av!ided
N!4 <"ite certaintl$ n!t
I cann!t sa$= +!ssi%l$ a min"te
I #as n!t in d!"%t "ntil se #as in cl!se 'r!Bimit$
1$ 9h" didn<t "ou at an" time before the ollision sound a signal of a number of blastsF
8$1$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ 9ere "ou in doubt as to whether the a++roahing vessel was ta7ing the right
ste+ to 7ee+ learF
8$2$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ 9hen the a++roahing vessel was 144 metres awa" from "ou, "ou 7new that she was not ta7ing an" +ro+er ations, didn<t "ouF
8$2$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ @ow long before the ollision did "ou go full asternF
8$3$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ >id the ollision have an" effet on the heading of "our shi+F
8$#$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ If the a++roahing vessel was heading 1C4=, then "our shi+ must have been heading between 124= and 134=$ >o "ou thin7 "our vessel might have altered her heading about 14
or 24 degrees to +ort at the time of the ollision$
8$C$BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
1$ This is all I wanted to as7$
A=. ,u""l# the missing nautical term (!verta(ing4 dead4 transit4 astern4 c!"rse) ?
>uring an east bound BBBBBBBBBBBB of the -alaa Strait, own vessel was on a
BBBBBBBBBB of 12.4 T, at an average s+eed of 12$# 7nots, this de+endent on the tides$ 1t
around 4944 loal time, the &&9 re+orted a vessel BBBBBBBBBBBBB astern, some 14
nautial miles, a++ro;imatel" on the same ourse and around 1$4 7not faster aording to
the 1RP1$ >uring the afternoon wath, the BBBBBBBBBBB vessel still remained right
BBBBBBBBBBB and was identified as a '/) arrier$
The wath hanged at 1C44 when we were BBBBBBBBBBBBB the &ne Iathom 8an7
BBBBBBBBBB Sheme$ The auto +ilot had been disengaged and the vessel was now in
BBBBBBBB steering$ The '/) arrier was now less than 2 miles astern of us$ The &&9
re+orted that she would +ass down our starboard side with a BBBBBBBB of 4$# miles$ This
was onsidered too lose and I advised the &&9 to adDust the BBBBBBBB # degrees to
+ort, ta7ing into aount our a++roah to the BBBBBBBBBB Sheme$
).:; su""l# the a""ro"riate "re"osition:
BBBBB 1744 the '/) arrier was abeam BBBBBB a distane of 4$7 miles$ The &&9 had
tried BBBBBB establish ontat via J@I radio BBBBBB the '/) arrier but there was no
res+onse$ 1t about 173# she was one +oint forward BBBBBB our beam and altered her
ourse BBBBB +ort$ The alteration was suh that it was not readil" deteted BBBBBB the
&&9 or m"self, either visuall" or b" radar, but BBBBB a few minutes the distane
between us had redued BBBBB 4$2 miles$ I assumed the on and immediatel" ordered the
helmsman to +ut the wheel hard BBBBB +ort$ 9e were fortunate that there was no west
bound traffi BBBBB the viinit" as m" onl" other o+tion would have been BBBBB sto+ the
engine$ This ation alone would not have relieved the situation BBBBB :ui7l" and safel"
as an alteration$
A=-- S"''l$ te a''r!'riate f!rm !f te ver% (have% disregard% avoid% enter% be%
maintain% "revent% be)?
Throughout the morning and afternoon, the '/) arrier BBBBBBBBBBBB +lent" of sea
room to starboard$ 1n earl" ation on her +art would have BBBBBBBBBBB embarrassing
m" vessel$ 8" the time she had drawn abeam, I BBBBBBBBBBB alread" 1 mile north east
of m" +ro+osed ourse line$ She had totall" BBBBBBBBBB Rule 12 %a* and was determined
to BBBBBBBBBB her ourse and s+eed no matter what$ -" ations as +er Rule 17
BBBBBBBBB a +otentiall" disastrous ollision$ It BBBBBBBBB :uite obvious that her
alteration to +ort
).:- Work in "airs. ,a# what #ou 5own shi"7 and #our class-mate 5the other shi"7 have
to do in the situations shown in the "ictures below. What is each situation called
%a* %b*

K
(d)
).:. ,u""l# the right term below. <hen check #our results against the com"lete te9t
below:
(ear Miss Overtaking
)uring an east *1+,,,,,,,,, transit of the Mala--a Strait, own vessel was on
*2+,,,,,,,,,, of 13./ 0, at an average speed of 13.' knots, this dependent on the
*3+,,,,,,,,,. 1t around /2// lo-al ti!e, the OO3 reported a vessel right
*&+,,,,,,,,,,, so!e 1/ nauti-al !iles, appro4i!atel on the sa!e -ourse and around
1./ knot faster a--ording to the *'+,,,,,,,,. )uring the afternoon wat-h, the
*$+,,,,,,,,,,,,,, vessel still re!ained right astern and was identified as a 5(6
*7+,,,,,,,,,,,.0he wat-h -hanged at 1$// when we were approa-hing the One
8atho! 9ank Separation *.+,,,,,,,,,,. 0he auto pilot had %een disengaged and the
vessel was now in hand *2+,,,,,,,,,,,,. 0he 5(6 *1/+,,,,,,,,,,, was now less
than 2 !iles astern of us. 0he OO3 reported that she would pass down our star%oard
side with a *11+,,,,,,, of /.' !iles. 0his was -onsidered too -lose and : advised the
OO3 to *12+,,,,,,,,,, the -ourse ' degrees to port, taking into a--ount our approa-h
to the Separation S-he!e.1t 17// the 5(6 -arrier was a%ea! at a distan-e of /.7 !iles.
0he OO3 had tried to esta%lish -onta-t via ;H8 radio with the 5(6 -arrier %ut
therewas no response. 1t a%out 17&' she was one point forward of our *13+,,,,,,,, and
altered her -ourse to port. 0he *1&+,,,,,,,,,,,,,, was su-h that it was not readil
dete-ted % the OO3 or !self, either visuall or % *1'+,,,,,,,,,, %ut within !inutes
the distan-e %etween us had redu-ed to /.2 !iles. : assu!ed the *1$+,,,,,,, and
i!!ediatel ordered the hel!s!an to put the *17+,,,,,,,,, hard to port. 3e were
fortunate that there was no west %ound *1.+,,,,,,,,,,, in the vi-init as ! onl other
option would have %een to stop the *12+,,,,,,,,,,. 0his *2/+,,,,,,,,,, alone would
not have relieved the situation as <ui-kl and safel as an alteration.0hroughout the
!orning and afternoon, the 5(6 -arrier had plent of searoo! to *21+,,,,,,,,,,,,,.
1n earl a-tion on her part would have avoided e!%arrassing ! vessel. 9 the ti!e she
had drawn *22+,,,,,,,,,, : was alread 1 !ile northeast of ! proposed -ourse line.
(ear Miss Overtaking.
)uring an east *1+%ound transit of the Mala--a Strait, own vessel was on *2+-ourse of 13./ 0, at an
average speed of 13.' knots, this dependent on the *3+tides. 1t around /2// lo-al ti!e, the OO3 reported a
vessel right *&+astern, so!e 1/ nauti-al !iles, appro4i!atel on the sa!e -ourse and around 1./ knot
faster a--ording to the *'+1R=1. )uring the afternoon wat-h, the *$+overtaking vessel still re!ained right
astern and was identified as a 5(6 *7+-arrier.0he wat-h -hanged at 1$// when we were approa-hing the
One 8atho! 9ank Separation *.+S-he!e. 0he auto pilot had %een disengaged and the vessel was now in
hand *2+steering. 0he 5(6 *1/+-arrier was now less than 2 !iles astern of us. 0he OO3 reported that she
would pass down our star%oard side with a *11+C=1 of /.' !iles. 0his was -onsidered too -lose and :
advised the OO3 to *12+ad>ust the -ourse ' degrees to port, taking into a--ount our approa-h to the
Separation S-he!e.1t 17// the 5(6 -arrier was a%ea! at a distan-e of /.7 !iles. 0he OO3 had tried to
esta%lish -onta-t via ;H8 radio with the 5(6 -arrier %ut therewas no response. 1t a%out 17&' she was one
point forward of our *13+%ea! and altered her -ourse to port. 0he *1&+alteration was su-h that it was not
readil dete-ted % the OO3 or !self, either visuall or % *1'+radar, %ut within !inutesthe distan-e
%etween us had redu-ed to /.2 !iles. : assu!ed the *1$+-on and i!!ediatel ordered the hel!s!an to put
the *17+wheel hard to port. 3e were fortunate that there was no west %ound *1.+traffi- in the vi-init as !
onl other option would have %een to stop the *12+engine. 0his *2/+a-tion alone would not have relieved
the situation as <ui-kl and safel as an alteration.0hroughout the !orning and afternoon, the 5(6 -arrier
had plent of searoo! to *21+star%oard. 1n earl a-tion on her part would have avoided e!%arrassing !
vessel. 9 the ti!e she had drawn *22+a%ea!, : was alread 1 !ile northeast of ! proposed -ourse line.
6.=rammar
6.: *e-"hrase the sentences below 5:-07% using each o' the 'ollowing "hrases:
kee" out o' the wa#
avoid
give wa#
kee" clear
have the right o' wa#
give a wide berth to

>?)M!@>
Aee" well out o' the wa# of the oil tanker.
)void the oil tanker
=ive wa# to the oil tanker #eep -lear of the oil tanker
Aee" clear o' that tanker
0he oil tanker has the right o' wa#
=ive this tanker a wide berth
&ow 'ollowing the e9am"le above #ou do the same with each o' the sentences in
the bo9 below:
1$ Gou must 7ee+ lear and +ass astern of me$
2$9h" didn<t "ou 7ee+ out of the wa" of the tan7erF
2$9e had to turn to starboard in order to give wa" to the shi+s in tow$
3$The overta7ing vessel did not avoid the vessel being overta7en$
#$ -" shi+ had the right of wa" and +roeeded wilhout notie$
6.- Make questions using suitable 'orms o' the verbs in brackets:
8earing at a c!"rt? c!llisi!n
?@)6A - 3hat ti!e ou *go+ 1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,on wat-h on the da of the -ollisionB
3ho! ou *relieve+ 2. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,B
, 0
N7
O**ICER , 1t . o<lo7 in the morning$ I relieved the Chief &ffier$
, ?@)6A- 3hat visi%ilit *%e+ 3.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, likeB 3hat our -ourse *%e+
, 0
N7
O**ICER , 1++ro;imatel" C miles, 1#2 true$
." ?@)6A - Cou *as-ertain+ '. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the position of our vessel when ou
-a!e on wat-hB
, 0
N7
O**ICER , The Chief &ffier too7 radio bearings$
, ?@)6A - Cou *!ake+ $.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,an esti!ate of the distan-e the other ship
was fro! ouB How she *%ear+7.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fro! ouB
, 0
N7
O**ICER ,1bout C miles and between 14 and 24 degrees abaft the beam$
, ?@)6A -3hat *happen+ ..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,to the distan-e %etween ou and the
%earingB
, 0
N7
O**ICER ,She ame loser and loser$ The bearing drew slowl" abeam$
-?@)6A - 3h ou not *-all+ 2.,,,,,,,,,,,,the -aptain -onsidering the dangerous
situationB
, 0
N7
O**ICER ,The situation was :uite lear in m" o+inion$ It was the a++roahing
shi+<s dut" to give wa"$
6.. *e-"hrase the sentences in the bo9 below so that the idea o' obligation is alwa#s
maintained 5make the necessar# changes7B stud# the di''erence in meaning in the
italiciCed "hrases below:
E3A:+LE
Officers and rating must be back
should be back
ought to be back
shall be back
are to be back %$ -6=99
are bound to be back
are obliged to be back
are su""osed to be back
are ordered to be back
1$ 1 vessel overta7ing shall keep out of the wa of the overta7en vessel$
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB, et$
2$ (ah shi+ must alter ourse to starboard$
2$ The +ort side vessel shall avoid the starboard side vessel in ase of a rossing
3$ situation$
#$ 1 +ower,driven vessel should 7ee+ out of the wa" of a sailing vessel$
6/ Choose the the right term in the brackets and underline it:
R"le -9
0raffi- separation s-he!es
%a* This Rule a++lies to traffi se+aration shemes ado+ted b" the &rganization and does
not %%elieve D relieve D free * an" vessel of her obligation under an" other Rule$
%b* 1 vessel using a traffi se+aration sheme shall5
%i* +roeed in the a++ro+riate traffi %side D lane D tra-k* in the general diretion of traffi
flow for that laneL
%ii* so far as +ratiable 7ee+ lear of a traffi se+aration line or se+aration %Eone D surfa-e
D area *L
%iii* normall" Doin or leave a traffi lane at the termination of the lane, but when %entering
D >oining D separating* or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the
general diretion of traffi flow as +ratiable$
%* 1 vessel %has to D shall D !ust * , so far as +ratiable, avoid rossing traffi lanes but if
obliged to do so shall ross on a heading as nearl" as +ratiable at right angles to the
general %%earing D dire-tion D strea!* of traffi flow$
%d* %i* 1 vessel shall not use an inshore traffi zone when she an safel" use the
a++ro+riate traffi lane within the adDaent traffi se+aration %progra!!e D s-he!e D
s-hedule*$ @owever, vessels of less than 24 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels
engaged in fishing ma" use the %inside D inshore D out%ound* traffi zone$
%ii* %in spite of D notwithstanding D in -ontrast to* sub,+aragra+h %d* %i*, a vessel ma" use
an inshore traffi zone when en route to or from a +ort, offshore installation or struture,
+ilot station or an" other +lae situated within the inshore traffi zone, or to avoid
immediate danger$
%e* 1 vessel other than a rossing vessel or a vessel Doining or leaving a lane shall not
normall" enter a se+aration zone or %-ross D e4-eed D leave* a se+aration line e;e+t5
%i* in ases of emergen" to avoid %inter!ediate D i!!ediate D threatening* dangerL
%ii* to engage in fishing within a se+aration zone$
%f* 1 vessel navigating in areas near the %outer ends D ter!inations D %eginnings* of traffi
se+aration shemes shall do so with +artiular aution$
%g* 1 vessel shall so far as +ratiable %avoid D keep -lear D start* anhoring in a traffi
se+aration sheme or in areas near its terminations$
%h* 1 vessel not using a traffi se+aration sheme shall avoid it b" as wide a margin as is
+ratiable$
%i* 1 vessel %entered D -aught 6 engaged *in fishing shall not im+ede the +assage of an"
vessel following a traffi lane$
%D* 1 vessel of less than 24 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not %i!pede D free D
stop* the safe +assage of a +owerdriven vessel following a traffi lane$
%l* 1 vessel %li!ited D restri-ted D -onstrained* in her abilit" to manoeuvre when engaged
in an o+eration for the la"ing, serviing or +i7ing u+ of a submarine able, within a
traffi se+aration sheme, is e;em+ted from om+l"ing with this Rule to the e;tent
neessar" to arr" out the o+eration$
60 . ,everal sentences in the te9t below 5italic D bold7 have been jumbled. !ut the
words or "hrases 5chunks7 in the right order so as to obtain 'ull and correct sentences
Collision 5M)*, -;;0-07
&ne of our shi+s was on an offshore +assage when another shi+ was notied b" radar on
her +ort beam$ 8eing a fine, lear, alm da" the a++roahing shi+ was soon in sight$ ,he%
'rom the "ort beam% on a stead# bearing% at high s"eed% was a""roaching$ It was soon
a++arent that she was a maDor ontainer shi+$ The shi+<s wath offier alled her b" J@I,
addressing her as the Mrossing ontainer shi+M to find out her intentions as it was
a++arent to him that she should give wa" whilst he should 7ee+ his ourse and s+eed$ The
ontainer shi+ never a7nowledged our shi+<s J@I alls whih beame more fre:uent
and intense as the shi+s losed the distane between them$
9ith a ollision no longer unavoidable, our shi+ sounded # short blasts on her whistle$
@earing this, the master rushed to the bridge$ Immediatel", he notied the wath offier
using the J@I to all the other shi+ now at a distane of some 2 ables and a++roahing
at s+eed on the +ort side$ <he% immediatel#% and% hard to starboard% sounded% master%
the crew general alarm% altered the course$
In% the shi"s% the subsequent 'ull s"eed collision% on almost "arallel courses% came
alongside% each other. &ur shi+<s inner and outer hulls, for almost the full length of her
+arallel mid bod" on her +ort side, were evenl" set in from the tan7 to+ to the u++er de7
b" u+ to about 1. inhes$ Subse:uentl", she went into the nearest +ort where she was
unloaded and her hull was strengthened with tem+orar" e;ternal stiffeners$ Then she was
given lassifiation +ermission to sail to a shi+ re+air "ard for re+airs$
In our in:uir" we found our S-S +roedures were not full" im+lemented$ standing
orders% <he% master% had% an# written% not issued% . There was no instrution from him
that he was to be alled if ever an" doubt arose onerning his shi+<s safet"$ The wath
offier ignored our S-S +roedures that the C&'R()S were to be stritl" followed and
that the master was to be alled if ever the wath offier was in doubt or felt that the J@I
should be used as a ollision avoidane tool$ @owever, the essene seems to have been
that the wath offier misunderstood the C&'R()S in that he seems to have had no
awareness that the Mstand,onM shi+ should give wa" before a ollision is inevitable$
I believe% be'ore using the VE4% and can be a distraction% as it can give rise% watch
o''icers% 'or close quarters or collision avoidance% ought to call the master% to doubts
and misunderstandings%. I also feel that, in lear weather, the onl" assistane the wath
offier needs to avoid lose :uarters situations develo+ing, is his own sight and the
om+ass bearings$ Then he an deide if a ris7 of ollision e;ists and what he needs to
do$ 1ll else might beome a distration , even a dangerous distration$

C. Writing skills
C.: 4ind the "arts o' the reading te9t and answer the questions
below:
1$ 9here are the Collision Rules om+iledF
2$ 9hat are the si; +arts of the ColregsF
2$ 9hih of the definitions in the Rule of the Road is the most im+ortant oneF
3$ 9hat is a +ower,driven vesselF
#$ 9hat are the +ur+oses of the lights laid down in the RulesF
C$ 9hat is the meaning of one +rolonged blast on the shi+<s whistle given ever" two
minutes
7$ 9hen does a shi+ give two +rolonged blasts ever" two minutesF
.$ 9hih whistle signals are used when the shi+ is anhoredF
9$ 9hat do the steering and sailing rules la" downF
14$ 9hat ha++ens if two shi+s are a++roahing eah other head,onF
11$ 9hat is the rule when two vessels are on rossing oursesF
12$ 9hat must the overta7ing shi+ doF
12$ @ow does a vessel give wa" to anotherF

F. 4urther reading D e9ercises
F:. ,u""l# the missing CG@*>=, terms: 5cr!ss4 trafifc4 'assage4 'ass4 giving4 t"rn4
flasing4 radars4 intenti!ns4 <"arters4 cr!ssing4 res"med4 R!ad4 alter4 AR+A7= <hen
make a list o' times and actions taken. 4inall#% describe the stor# using the drawing
below.
M own vessel was a large Ro-Ro on ,,,,,,,,,,,, fro! Ha!%urg to 1ntwerp.
1t /&&', Maas 1pproa-h was -onta-ted on Ch /1 at position FMikeF and the were
infor!ed of ! intentions to ,,,,,,,,,, the 0SS. 1s -an %e seen fro! the a--o!paning
-hart, this was to %e at right angles to the flow of ,,,,,,,,,,,..
0wo outward %ound ships had %een plotted on ! ,,,,,,,,, and, after !
-ourse alteration, it was o%served that the would %oth ,,,,,,,,,, astern %ut far too
-lose for -o!fort. 1t a%out /'/', vessel F9F was seen to ,,,,,,,,,,, to star%oard and
was plotted as passing well -lear astern. Ship F1F !eanwhile, was !aking no
indi-ations of ,,,,,,,,,,,, wa.
1%out /'1/G : altered to star%oard and finished up taking a round ,,,,,,,,,,,,
out of the ship. Shortl after : altered to star%oard, ship F1 F altered to port and started
,,,,,,,,,, her 1ldis at !e.
1t this point ship F9F -alled hi! up and asked hi! his ,,,,,,,,,,,, as the
were <ui-kl approa-hing a -lose ,,,,,,,, situation. Ship F1F replied that the
,,,,,,,,,,, ship was giving hi! no roo!HHH Ship F9F suggested that, seeing : was
altering to star%oard, ship F1F should now do the sa!e. 0his he did and %oth ships then
,,,,,,,,,,, their original -ourses.
: -an onl assu!e that the person in -harge on ship F1F had no knowledge of the
Rule of the ,,,,,,,,,or there was no Offi-er on the %ridge. (o -o!!ents were
forth-o!ing fro! Maas 1pproa-h who !ust have wat-hed this in-ident on their
,,,,,,, ..
F-. ,u""l# the missing verb in the brackets into the right "lace and 'orm
4ailure to Com"l#
:ARS Re'!rt N!= 099390
&wn shi+ was a 244,444dwt tan7er with a loaded draft of 21$7#m$ The MrogueM shi+ a bul7
arrier of a++ro;imatel" 14,444dwt %%e*$ &ur ourse was 224T and our s+eed was 1#
7nots and we a slow moving rossing target on our starboard bow at over 14nm %o%serve*
whilst she a bul7 arrier on our own +ort side whih was on a similar ourse to ours with a
s+eed of 12$# 7nots %overtake*$
1t a distane of Cnm %+osition 2* from the rossing target %now identified as a rane
barge*, own shi+ # degrees to starboard %alter* to inrease the CP1 of the rane barge to
over 1nm$ This would also allow the bul7 arrier more sea room to alter to starboard in
order to a +otential lose :uarters situation with the rane barge %avoid*$
@owever, the bul7 arrier her ourse and s+eed %!aintained* and when she was at +osition
2, the rane barge her on J@I Ch$ 1C %-all* and again a few minutes later$ /o res+onse
was reeived$ Iollowing this, the rane barge was observed to all her wa" off %take* and
alter her heading to +arallel that of the MrogueM vessel$

F.. *eading 'or gist: *ead the te9t below quickl# and 'ind out the basic idea 5gist7
&wn shi+ was a 244,444dwt tan7er with a loaded draft of 21$7#m$ The MrogueM shi+ was
a bul7 arrier of a++ro;imatel" 14,444dwt$ &ur ourse was 224T and our s+eed was 1#
7nots and we observed a slow moving rossing target on our starboard bow at over
14nm whilst overta7ing a bul7 arrier on our own +ort
side whih was on a similar ourse to ours with a s+eed of 12$# 7nots$
1t a distane of C nm %+osition 2* from the rossing target %now identified as a rane
barge*, own shi+ altered # degrees to
starboard to inrease the CP1 of the rane barge to over 1nm$ This would also allow the
bul7 arrier more sea room to alter to
starboard to avoid a +otential lose :uarters situation with the rane barge$
@owever, the bul7 arrier maintained her ourse and s+eed and when she was at
+osition 2, the rane barge alled her on J@I Ch$ 1C and again a few minutes later$ /o
res+onse was reeived$ Iollowing this, the rane barge was observed to ta7e all her wa"
off and alter her heading to +arallel that of the MrogueM vessel$
F/. =uided reading:
*ead the te9t below care'ull# and 'ind the in'ormation on the 'ollowing 5discuss the
in'ormation 'irst in #our grou"7:
1$ 8asi information on Nown shi+0
2$ 8asi information on the Ntarget shi+0
2$ 9hat was the manoeuvre of the shi+ %target* on our starboard bowF
3$ 9hat ha++ened when our shi+ was at a distane of C nm from the rossing target
%+osition 2*F
#$ >esribe the situation at Position 2$
C$ 9hat was the last manoeuvre to avoid the ollisionF
F0. ,u""l# the missing adverbial or "re"ositional "hrase below
(at an average s'eed !f4 rigt astern4 d"ring4 still4 at -2994 in and steering4
astern !f4 'ri!r t!4 #it a C+A !f4 5 degrees t! '!rt4 a%eam4 via ,8* radi!4
#itin min"tes4 ard t! '!rt4 in te vicinit$4 as <"ic(l$ and safel$4 !n er 'art4
n!rteast !f4 n! matter #at4 as 'er4 !ne '!int f!r#ard !f)
Near :iss Overta(ing :AL
BBBBBBBBBBB an east bound transit of the -alaa Strait, own vessel was on a ourse of
12.4 T, BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 12$# 7nots, this de+endent on the tides$ 1t around 4944 loal
time, the &&9 re+orted a vessel BBBBBBBBBB, some 14 nautial miles, a++ro;imatel" on
the same ourse and around 1$4 7not faster aording to the 1RP1$ >uring the afternoon
wath, the overta7ing vessel BBBBBBBBBB remained right astern and was identified as a
'/) arrier$
The wath hanged BBBBBBBBB when we were a++roahing the &ne Iathom 8an7
Se+aration Sheme$ The auto +ilot had been disengaged and the vessel was now
BBBBBBBBBBBBB$ The '/) arrier was now less than 2 miles BBBBBBBBBBB us$ The &&9
re+orted that she would +ass down our starboard side BBBBBBBBBBBB 4$# miles$ This was
onsidered too lose and I advised the &&9 to adDust the ourse BBBBBBBBBBBB, ta7ing
into aount our a++roah to the Se+aration Sheme$
1t 1744 the '/) arrier was BBBBBBBBBBB at a distane of 4$7 miles$ The &&9 had
tried to establish ontat BBBBBBBBBBB with the '/) arrier but there was no res+onse$
1t about 173# she was BBBBBBBBBBBBBB our beam and altered her ourse to +ort$ The
alteration was suh that it was not readil" deteted b" the &&9 or m"self, either visuall"
or b" radar, but BBBBBBBBBBBBBB the distane between us had redued to 4$2 miles$ I
assumed the on and immediatel" ordered the helmsman to +ut the wheel BBBBBBBBBBBB$
9e were fortunate that there was no west bound traffi BBBBBBBBBBB as m" onl" other
o+tion would have been to sto+ the engine$ This ation alone would not have relieved the
situation BBBBBBBBBBBBB as an alteration$
Throughout the morning and afternoon, the '/) arrier had +lent" of searoom to
starboard$ 1n earl" ation BBBBBBBBBBB would have avoided embarrassing m" vessel$ 8"
the time she had drawn abeam, I was alread" 1 mile BBBBBBBBBB m" +ro+osed ourse
line$ She had totall" disregarded Rule 12 %a* and was determined to maintain her ourse
and s+eed BBBBBBBBBBB$ -" ations BBBBBBBBBB Rule 17 avoided a +otentiall"
disastrous ollision$ It was :uite obvious that her alteration to +ort was a +lanned
adDustment of ourse BBBBBBBBBBB her entering the TSS$
4urther reading
:arine Accident Brief
C!llisi!n !f Li%erian C!ntainersi' Columbus Canada and U=S= *ising ,essel 6lack
,hee"
G"lf !f :eBic! near Galvest!n4 TeBas
7ecem%er 0-4 -..6
:AB&9-)91
,essel N!= -? 'iberian Containershi+ Colu!%us Canada, 'lo"d<s
/o$7.441C2,C42$# feet long, 92$1 feet wide, 22$. foot draft, 23,4.4
gross tons, built in 1979
Jessel N!= 0? ?$S$ Iishing Jessel 9la-k Sheep, &$/$ 14###33,.1$7 feet long, 23$4
feet wide, 12$4 foot draft, 137 gross tons, built in 1997
Accident T$'e? Collision
L!cati!n? )ulf of -e;io, )alveston 8a" (ntrane Channel 8uo" M2M
%latitude 29
o
19$1< /, longitude 93
o
29$4< 9*, near )alveston, Te;as
7ate? >eember 21, 199.
Time? 2122 st
1
O#ner)O'erat!r? Colu!%us Canada" 1tlas International, 'td$, -onrovia, 'iberia
9la-k Sheep" Ra"mond 'a Iore, -obile, 1labama
+r!'ert$ 7amage? Colu!%us Canada - estimated at O14,444
9la-k Sheep ,total 'oss
InC"ries? Colu!%us Canada - one
9la-k Sheep , 1 minor
C!m'lement? Colu!%us Canada - 24 %2C rew and 3 +assengers*
9la-k Sheep , 2
Te Accident
1t 1.44 on >eember 21, 199., the loaded 'iberian ontainershi+ Colu!%us Canada de+arted
8arbours Cut Terminal, at -organ<s Point, @ouston, Te;as for -anzanillo, Panama, with 2C
rewmembers and 3 +assengers$
2
1 @ouston +ilot was in the wheelhouse to onn the vessel to
the sea buo" %designated M)8M on the nautial hart of the area* in the )ulf of -e;io at the
eastern end of the )alveston 8a" (ntrane Channel %)8(C*$
2
1lso on wath in the wheelhouse
were the master, the third mate, a helmsman, and a loo7out$ There was also one seaman on the
bow standing b" the anhors$
1ording to the +ilot, as the vessel +assed between buo"s 11 and 12,
3
in the Inner 8ar
Channel visibilit" redued nearl" to zero due to fog$ The Colu!%us CanadaIs logboo7 shows
that the vessel +assed buo"s 11 and 12 at 24#7$ The winds were light and variable, there was a
2,foot swell from the southeast and the urrent was ebbing at about 2 7nots in a southerl"
diretion$ Iog signals were sounded as the vessel ontinued outbound towards the )ulf of
-e;io$
The Colu!%us Canada made good a s+eed of about 14 7nots as it ontinued outbound in the
Inner 8ar Channel$ The +ilot 7e+t the shi+ in the enter of the hannel on ourse of 121BT
#

$ 1t 211#, in the viinit" of buo"s # and C in the )8(C, the +ilot a:uired a radar ontat at a
range of 3 162 miles$ The +ilot ontinued to observe the a++roahing ontat on two se+arate
radars, one set on the 1 162,mile range sale and the other on the 2,mile range sale$
-eanwhile, the master monitored the ontat on the third radar$ The ontat a++eared to be an
inbound vessel a++roahing the Colu!%us Canada in the hannel. It was later identified as the
?$S$ ommerial fishing vessel 9la-k Sheep$
9hile observing the ontat on radar, the +ilot attem+ted to establish radio ommuniations
with the vessel using radiotele+hone J@I,I- hannels 12 and 1C$ The +ilot stated, and the
shi+<s bridge wath on the Colu!%us Canada onfirmed, that he made several alls on the radio
but reeived no res+onse$
The +ilot had intended to disembar7 from the Colu!%us Canada between buo"s # and 2$
C

@owever, he deided to remain on board longer beause he did not want to disembar7 while
another vessel was a++roahing his shi+ and not answering his radio alls$ The +ilot, therefore,
re:uested the +ilot boat Houston, whih was following the shi+ to retrieve the +ilot when he
disembar7ed, to ontinue following the shi+ until he determined it was safe to disembar7$
&n >eember 21, 199., the ?$S$ Iishing Jessel 9la-k Sheep was returning to )alveston
beause gale warnings %2#,3# 7not winds* had been foreast for the )ulf of -e;io$ The vessel
was ma7ing good a s+eed of about . 7nots while inbound in the middle of the )8(C on a
ourse of about 244BT$ In the wheelhouse were an unliensed master
7
and a de7 hand$ The
third rewman was off wath in the galle"$ The vessel<s foghorn was ino+erative$ The master
used a searhlight and had the de7 lights on in an effort to inrease the visibilit" of the 9la-k
Sheep to other vessels$ The 9la-k SheepIs two radars were o+erating on the two,mile range
sale$
The master of the 9la-k Sheep stated that he heard one all from the Colu!%us Canada on
J@I,I- hannel 1C, answered it, but did not reeive a re+l"$ The 9la-k Sheep master a:uired
the Colu!%us Canada on radar about 1162 mile ahead, loated between buo"s 2 and # in the
enter of the hannel$
The vessels were meeting in a narrow hannel during a +eriod of restrited visibilit"$ The
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 %72
C&'R()S*
.
a++lied and +rovided guidane on the +ro+er ourse of ation for the vessel
o+erators to follow to affet a safe +assing$
The +ilot on board the Colu!%us Canada stated that he initiall" observed the 9la-k Sheep on
radar and that it a++eared to be on the inbound right,hand side of the hannel and then moved
toward the enter of the hannel$ 8etween buo"s # and 2, the +ilot on the Colu!%us Canada
momentaril" hanged ourse to the right about 7B to allow more room for the e;+eted +ort,to,
+ort meeting and then returned the vessel to its outbound ourse of 121BT$ The master of the
Colu!%us Canada stated that the vessels were about 162 mile a+art at that time$
1s the two vessels onverged, the radar ontat on the Colu!%us CanadaIs radar sreen merged
with the own shi+ dis+la"
at the enter of the so+e and the +ilot ordered the rudder hard to starboard to avoid the
a++roahing vessel$ ?+on sighting buo" 2 ahead at the e;treme right hand side %outbound* of
the hannel, the +ilot ordered left rudder to avoid olliding with the buo" and to remain in the
hannel$ Shortl", thereafter, the +ilot sighted the 9la-k Sheep ome out of the fog immediatel"
ahead of his vessel and the vessels ollided$ The +ilot stated, that although he had ordered left
rudder, the bow of the Colu!%us Canada was still moving to the right at the time of im+at$
1ording to the master of the 9la-k Sheep, when the Colu!%us Canada was about 1 162 miles
awa", he believed that there was a ris7 of ollision$ 1s the vessels onverged, the master of the
9la-k Sheep stated that the image of the on,oming radar ontat a++eared on the radar so+e
to be rossing into the 9la-k SheepIs side of the hannel$ To avoid ollision, he turned the
9la-k SheepIs rudder hard to +ort and +assed ahead of the bow of the on oming shi+$ @owever,
at 2122, the Colu!%usCanada stru7 the starboard :uarter of the 9la-k Sheep$ The loation of
the ollision was on the outbound starboard edge of the hannel, Dust +ast buo" no$ 2$ %See
Iigure 1$* 1t im+at, the 9la-k SheepIs hull was breahed and immediatel" began to flood$
*ig"re -= S7eth of )alveston 8a" (ntrane Channel Showing 'oation of Collision and
Sun7en Position of the 9la-k Sheep$
The 9la-k SheepIs master stated he had not heard an" fog signals sounded b" the Colu!%us
Canada$ /either vessel<s rew visuall" sighted the other vessel until moments before the
ollision$ 1lso, neither vessel redued s+eed before the ollision$
Immediatel" after im+at, the +ilot on the Colu!%us Canada sto++ed the main engine and
steered to the left to remain in the hannel$ 1t 2122, the +ilot notified the Coast )uard Jessel
Traffi Center in @ouston of the aident and anhored to await orders from the Coast )uard$
The +ilot on the Colu!%us Canada also notified the o+erator on the +ilot boat Houston of the
ollision and direted him to render assistane to the 9la-k Sheep$ 1t 2122, the o+erator on the
9la-k Sheep notified the Coast )uard )rou+ )alveston on hannel 1C of the aident= The +ilot
boat arrived alongside the sin7ing 9la-k Sheep within 1 to # minutes and too7 the three
rewmembers aboard$ The three rewmembers were transferred to a 31,foot Coast )uard
resue boat at 2214 and brought to shore$
The 9la-k Sheep ontinued to flood until 223. on >eember 21, when it san7 in the viinit" of
buo" 2$ Salvors later reovered the 9la-k Sheep and brought it to Port 8olivar, Te;as, for re+air$
Pro!a!le /ause
The /ational Trans+ortation Safet" 8oard has determined that the +robable ause of the
ollision between the Colu!%us Canada and the 9la-k Sheep was the deision b" the master of
the 9la-k Sheep to turn diretl" into the +ath of the on,oming shi+$
Ad!'ted? A"g"st 004 099-
1 1ll times in this re+ort are entral standard time, based on the 23,hour lo7$
2 1 freight vessel, on an international vo"age, arr"ing +assengers is not a +assenger vessel
unless it arries more than 12 +assengers$
2 >istane from -organ<s Point to the eastern end of the )alveston 8a" (ntrane 8uo" is about
21 miles$
3 The buo"s are in sets5 odd numbered buo"s are on the right side of the hannel and even
numbered buo"s are on the left side when +roeeding to sea$
# 1ll ourses in this re+ort are true ourses, unless otherwise stated$
C These +artiular buo"s are about 1$1 miles a+art$
7 The masters of ommerial fishing vessels of less than 244 gross tons are not re:uired to be
liensed$
. Rule 9 governs navigation within a narrow hannel and states that a vessel +roeeding along
the ourse of a narrow hannel or fairwa" shall 7ee+ as near to the outer limit of the hannel or
fairwa" whih lies on her starboard side as is safe and +ratiable$ Rule 19 +rovides guidane
for vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in restrited visibilit"$ (ver" vessel shall
+roeed at a safe s+eed ada+ted to the onditions of restrited visibilit"$ 1 vessel, whih detets
b" radar alone the +resene of another vessel, shall determine if a lose :uarters situation is
develo+ing and6or ris7 of ollision e;ists$ 1voiding ation shall be ta7en in am+le time and if a
hange of ourse is ta7en, alteration of ourse to +ort %left* should be avoided in a meeting or
rossing situation$ &r, if a lose :uarters situation annot be avoided with a vessel forward, the
vessel shall redue s+eed to a minimum at whih it an be 7e+t on ourse$ If neessar", ta7e all
wa" %movement of the vessel* off and navigate with aution until the danger of ollision is
over$ Rule C desribes safe s+eed as the s+eed at whih a vessel Man ta7e +ro+er and effetive
ation to avoid ollision and be sto++ed within a distane a++ro+riate to the +revailing
irumstanes and onditions$M Iators to be onsidered for safe s+eed are5 state of visibilit",
traffi densit", maneuverabilit" of the vessel, draft in relation to the de+th of the water,
o+erational radar, and limitations of the radar$

What are the devices below used for?