Passage v Safe Passage

8 (f) (i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the
passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea-room for the safe passage of the other vessel.

Rule

Passage Navigating Safely Navigate

<20m or sailing vessel (leisure craft) - a vessel

Safe Passage

9b

which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway

engaged in fishing 9c
any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway

9d

10 i

engaged in fishing any vessel following a traffic lane

10 j

<20m, sailing vessel (leisure craft) - a power-driven

vessel following a traffic lane

18 d

Any vessel other than NUC or RAM - shall avoid

impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught

From a website
Hello, Do I understand the concept of passage and safe passage? ===== Impeding Passage===== Not to impede the passage of a vessel means that there are no exceptions what so ever. ***** For example, I am a PDV proceeding in a TSS with a vessel engaged in fishing crossing from my port side, bearing steady. ***** Action: I maintain course and speed. Still no action from the fishing vessel, I sound 5 short + rapid blasts, man on the wheel, inform the Captain. Still no action, I make a bold alteration of course to Stbd and parallel her course, then inform the VTS. ===== Impeding Safe Passage===== Safe passage is conditional. I have a sailing vessel crossing from my stbd side, bearing steady. Action: If it was safe to do so and I deemed there to be sufficient sea room after a full appraisal of the situation, I would give way for her by sounding 1 short blast, altering to stbd, passing well clear around her stern and then I'd monitor until finally past and clear. However; if it was not safe to do so and I had a vessel on my starboard quarter, I cannot give way to the sailing vessel on my stb side. Therefore she is impeding my safe passage, so I must maintain my course and speed. If the bearing is still steady and no action is taken by her, then I must sound 5 short and rapid blasts, man on the wheel and inform the Master and take appropriate action. =============== Can any Masters or Mates help with this please? Thank you for you time. Hi, This almost identical question was asked by one of my classmates when I was back at college, the answer we were given was that they are the same thing. The discrepancy arises due to some of the rules (apparently) originally being written in French, and during the translation safe passage was introduced in random places. (I cant actually confirm this as being 100% accurate though). The reason I believe it is true though is as follows; COLREGs only apply where there is a risk of collision, therefore if risk of collision exists I am sure you will agree that your safe passage is impeded. If a vessel impedes your passage she is also impeding your safe passage? (I am finding this hard to explain any better). Also under Rule 8, passage and safe passage are defined together as requiring the same action to be taken regardless of which is the case. As in your explanation above; Rule 10: Part i; A fishing vessel, engaged in fishing within a TSS should not impede the passage of ANY vessel following the traffic lane. Therefore if she does impede your passage you should take appropriate action under Rule 8. (Be careful about saying inform VTS in your Orals). Rule 10: Part j; A sailing vessel will not impede the safe passage of a PDV following a traffic lane. Assuming you are a PDV following the lane, the sailing vessel should NOT cross ahead of you if there is a risk of collision. Initially sound 5 short blasts and notify the master. If situation does not change take action necessary to safely pass the sailing vessel (alter to port/starboard or reduce / increase speed) - remember rule 15 only applies to PDV. I cant find the ships copy of COLREGs so I quoted from memory so they might not be exact wordings of the rules and I might have got the wrong paragraph letters.