Glossary Archive

When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly...

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. This rule applies only when two power-driven vessels come...

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear. Under the rules, a vessel defined as give-way is obliged to 'take early' and 'substantial' action to avoid a collision. Rule 16 is a summarised, single-sentence version...

Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed. The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking...

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require: A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: a vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; a vessel engaged in fishing; a sailing vessel. A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: a vessel not...

This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility. Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre. Every vessel shall have due...

Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers. The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive...

"Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel. "Sidelights" means a...

The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in Section 8 of Annex I to these Regulations so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges: In vessels of 50 metres or more in length:a masthead light, 6 miles;a sidelight, 3 miles;a stern light, 3 miles;a towing light, 3 miles;a...

A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit: a masthead light forward; a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so; sidelights; a sternlight. An air-cushion vessel when operating in the...