International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) (COLREGs)

The international rules governing vessel conduct, lookout, safe speed, collision avoidance and navigation lights, shapes and sound signals.

The 1972 COLREG Convention and its annexes apply on the high seas and connected waters navigable by seagoing vessels, with national implementation and permitted special local rules. They define vessel statuses and responsibilities in sight, restricted visibility and traffic-separation situations.

They do not allocate simplistic “right of way.” Every vessel retains duties, including action by a stand-on vessel when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone.