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Rule 19: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

  1. This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.
  2. 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.
  3. Every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the Rules of Section I of this Part.
  4. A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a closequarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided:
    1. an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;   
    2. an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.
  5. Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.

What this means:

Rule 19: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility – Our plain English guide to help you understand & remember this rule.

There is a special provision in the rules for what happens during restricted visibility. Covered in Part B – Steering & sailing rules, Section III is specific to the Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility.  There is only one rule in this section, Rule 19. This rule supersedes the other sections of Part B with a simple, single rule.

It consists of five paragraphs that we can break down into sections what they each mean:

General conduct

Paragraph (a):

The first paragraph outlines when the rule comes into force. It is deliberate in its reference to the area in or near restricted visibility, as care must be taken when entering or exiting an area where it’s difficult to see other vessels.

Paragraph (b): 

Paragraph (b) tells us that we must adapt our speed to the prevailing conditions. We should not carry on at 20 knots in our RIB, hoping to get out the other side as soon as possible. 

It also tells us that, whilst not obliged to use it, we must have our engine ready for immediate use to help prevent a collision.

Paragraph (c)

This paragraph reminds us of our responsibilities in Section I, explicitly referring to the ‘circumstances and conditions’ that exist in restricted visibility. We must consider them in light of the current situation and our inability to see other vessels. For example, if we have radar fitted, Rule 5: Look out states using ‘all available means’, so we must use radar if available. 

Section I are the rules that exist in any visibility, including;

Rule 18: Responsibilities between vessel types Rule 20: Application

Key Point:
This rule removes the concept of a stand-on vessel and effectively makes everyone a give-way vessel with specific actions to avoid collisions.