Collision Regulations for the ICC

Prerequisites

• You know what the ICC is and how the assessment runs (see the lesson Passing the ICC Practical Assessment).
• You can steer a compass course and know port from starboard and the points of sail.
• You know what a hand-bearing compass is, even if you have not used one much.
• No certificate is needed first. The assessor expects about RYA Day Skipper knowledge of the rules for your own type of boat.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Explain your duty to keep a proper lookout at all times (ICC regulations 1, COLREGs Rule 5).
• Decide what a safe speed is in fog or among small craft (regulations 2, Rule 6).
• Tell whether risk of collision exists using a steady compass bearing (regulations 3, Rule 7).
• Identify the give-way and stand-on vessel in sailing, overtaking, head-on and crossing situations, and in the Rule 18 hierarchy (regulations 4, Rules 12 to 15 and 18).
• Describe the action of the give-way and the stand-on vessel, including when the stand-on vessel must act herself (regulations 5, Rules 8, 16 and 17).
• State the responsibilities of a small boat in a narrow channel (regulations 6, Rule 9).
• Recognise the manoeuvring signals of 1, 2, 3 and 5 blasts (regulations 7, Rule 34).
• Follow and cross a traffic separation scheme correctly (coastal collision regulations 1, Rule 10).
• Outline what the other rules cover, excluding the annexes (coastal collision regulations 5).

Where the Rules Apply

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS, or COLREGs) apply on the high seas and all connected waters navigable by seagoing ships: the Solent, the Côte d'Azur, the Croatian islands, the Ionian, almost anywhere you will charter on the coast. The same rules apply in every one of those countries, which is why the ICC tests them.

Rule 1 lets states and harbour authorities add special local rules, such as harbour byelaws, speed limits near beaches, or the CEVNI rules on European inland waterways (see the lesson Introduction to CEVNI). Where a local rule exists it takes priority, so read the pilot book for anywhere you visit.

The 41 rules fall into parts: General (Rules 1 to 3), Steering and Sailing (4 to 19), Lights and Shapes (20 to 31), Sound and Light Signals (32 to 37), and administrative parts (38 to 41). Lights, shapes and fog signals have their own lesson, Lights, Shapes and Fog Signals; distress signals are in Distress Signals and Safety Equipment.

Rule 2: responsibility

Nothing in the rules excuses you from neglecting them or "the ordinary practice of seamen". Being the stand-on vessel is no defence if you sail into someone. And you must allow for special circumstances that may make a departure from the rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. Follow the rules, but never follow them into a collision.

Rule 3: definitions you must know

• Power-driven vessel: propelled by machinery. A yacht with her engine running in gear is power-driven, even with sails up.
• Sailing vessel: under sail with no machinery being used.
• Engaged in fishing: using nets, lines or trawls that restrict manoeuvrability. Trolling a line does not count.
• Not under command (NUC): unable to manoeuvre because of some exceptional circumstance, such as steering failure.
• Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre (RAM): limited by her work, such as dredging, laying cable, diving operations or some towing.
• Constrained by her draught (CBD): a power-driven vessel that cannot deviate from her course because of the depth and width of water.
• Under way: not at anchor, not made fast to the shore and not aground. A drifting yacht is under way.

Lookout (Rule 5)

Every vessel shall at all times keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means (radar, AIS, VHF), so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of collision.

The assessor may ask: "Is it permissible to have nobody on deck or in the wheelhouse of a cruiser?" No, never, not even for a minute below. A ship just visible from a yacht's cockpit, 6 to 8 miles off at 20 knots, can be on top of you within 20 minutes.

• Look under the genoa. A low-cut headsail hides everything on the lee bow. Duck down or send someone forward regularly.
• Look astern. Ferries and motor boats overtake from behind.
• Listen. In fog, sound may be your only warning.
• AIS and radar help but do not replace eyes. Kayaks, small fishing boats and many yachts have no AIS.
• Towing a skier? You need a second person to watch the skier while the driver looks ahead, which is why the assessor asks "why should there always be two people in a ski boat?".

Safe Speed (Rule 6)

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed, so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and stop within a distance appropriate to the conditions. There is no number. The factors include visibility (the most important), traffic density, your boat's stopping and turning ability, background lights at night, wind, sea and current, nearby hazards and the depth of water.

"In thick fog, how fast should you go?" Slow enough to stop within the distance you can see, while keeping full control: often 3 or 4 knots. "If you were taking a motor cruiser through a group of racing dinghies, how fast would you go?" Slowly, with no wash, ready to stop or turn at any moment. Many Mediterranean coasts also impose limits of 3 to 5 knots near beaches and inside harbours.

Risk of Collision (Rule 7)

Every vessel shall use all available means to decide whether risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt, risk shall be deemed to exist.

The key test, and the one the assessor wants to hear: if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change, risk of collision exists.

1. Hold your own course steady.
2. Take a bearing of the other vessel with a hand-bearing compass, or line it up with a stanchion while keeping your head still.
3. Repeat every minute or two.
4. Steady bearing and closing range: collision course. Bearing moving steadily forward or aft: she will pass ahead or astern.

Worked example. A ship bears 040° Magnetic at 1400, 040° at 1403 and 041° at 1406, and looks bigger each time. Risk of collision exists. Had the bearings been 040°, 046° and 053°, she would be drawing ahead to pass in front of you.

Two cautions. A changing bearing does not always mean safety with a very large vessel, a tow, or anything at close range: a 300 m ship's bow may pass clear while her stern does not. And never decide on scanty information such as one glance. Near land, watch the vessel against the shore behind it: if it stays fixed against the same point, risk exists.

Action to Avoid Collision (Rule 8)

Any avoiding action must be positive, made in ample time, large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel, and seamanlike. Avoid a series of small alterations. If you need more time, slow down, stop or go astern. Then keep checking until the other vessel is past and clear.

As a rule of thumb, alter by at least 30°, and at night enough that the other vessel sees a different sidelight. A vessel required not to impede another (in narrow channels and traffic lanes) must act early to leave sea room.

Sailing Vessels Meeting (Rule 12)

When two sailing vessels approach with risk of collision:

1. On different tacks, the vessel with the wind on her port side keeps out of the way.
2. On the same tack, the vessel to windward keeps out of the way of the vessel to leeward.
3. A vessel on port tack that sees a vessel to windward and cannot tell her tack keeps out of the way.

The windward side is the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried. Mainsail out to starboard means the wind is on your port side: port tack.

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Rule 12 applies only between two sailing vessels. If either has her engine running, the power-driven rules apply. And it never overrides Rule 13: an overtaking sailing yacht keeps clear.

Overtaking (Rule 13)

Any vessel overtaking any other keeps out of the way of the vessel being overtaken, whatever types they are. A vessel is overtaking when she approaches from more than 22.5° abaft the other's beam; at night she would see only the sternlight. If in doubt, assume you are overtaking. You remain the give-way vessel until finally past and clear.

Head-on and Crossing (Rules 14 and 15)

These apply between two power-driven vessels, which includes your yacht under engine.

Head-on (Rule 14). On reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, each alters course to starboard to pass port to port. You see her masts in line by day, or both sidelights at night. If in doubt, assume head-on.

Crossing (Rule 15). The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side keeps out of the way and avoids crossing ahead. At night the give-way vessel sees the other's red sidelight: red for stop.

Give-way and Stand-on Action (Rules 16 and 17)

The give-way vessel (Rule 16) takes early and substantial action to keep well clear: a big turn, usually to starboard to pass astern, or a big reduction in speed, early enough that the other skipper never wonders whether you have seen them.

The stand-on vessel (Rule 17) follows four steps. The assessor will ask what she does if the give-way vessel does nothing.

1. Keep course and speed, so the give-way vessel can predict where you will be.
2. You may act by your manoeuvre alone as soon as it is apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. Sound at least five short and rapid blasts first.
3. You must act when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone: hard turn, stop or go astern.
4. A power-driven stand-on vessel in a crossing should not, if circumstances admit, alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side, because that vessel will probably turn to starboard, into you. Turn to starboard or slow down.

Acting as stand-on vessel never relieves the give-way vessel of her duty.

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Worked example: the stand-on vessel acts

You motor west at 6 knots. A motor cruiser approaches from your port bow, heading north at 15 knots, bearing a steady 220° Magnetic. You are on her starboard side, so she gives way (Rule 15) and you stand on.

• At 1 mile you hold course and speed and keep checking.
• At half a mile, no change and nobody visible at her helm. You sound five short blasts.
• At 3 cables still no change. You may now act, but not by turning to port towards her. You go astern sounding three short blasts, or turn hard to starboard sounding one short blast, and let her pass ahead.

Responsibilities Between Vessels (Rule 18)

Rule 18 sets an order for vessels in sight of each other. Each keeps out of the way of those above it:

In addition, any vessel other than NUC or RAM avoids impeding a vessel constrained by her draught. A seaplane keeps clear of all vessels.

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Rule 18 has limits. An overtaking vessel always keeps clear (Rule 13). In a narrow channel or traffic lane a sailing vessel or vessel under 20 m must not impede a ship confined to it (Rules 9 and 10), so "power gives way to sail" does not let you tack across a ship's bow in a dredged channel. And it applies only when vessels are in sight; in fog, Rule 19 applies. Memory aid from the top: Not under command, Restricted, Constrained, Fishing, Sailing, Power.

Narrow Channels (Rule 9)

A narrow channel might be a dredged harbour approach or a buoyed fairway between islands. Rule 9 says:

• Keep to starboard, as near the outer limit of the channel on your starboard side as is safe.
• A vessel under 20 m or a sailing vessel shall not impede a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel. That covers most leisure boats, under sail or power.
• Do not cross if it would impede such a vessel.
• Overtaking where the other must act is agreed by sound: two prolonged and one short means "I intend to overtake on your starboard side", two prolonged and two short "on your port side"; agreement is prolonged, short, prolonged, short.
• Approaching a blind bend, sound one prolonged blast. A vessel round the bend answers with one prolonged blast.
• Avoid anchoring in a channel.

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"You are in a narrow channel and a large ship approaches. What action should you take?" Keep to the starboard edge, or outside the channel if there is depth, early and obviously. "What should you do before crossing a narrow channel?" Look both ways, wait for a clear gap, then cross promptly at right angles, astern of ships rather than ahead. A ship may need a mile to stop and cannot leave the channel.

Traffic Separation Schemes (Rule 10)

A traffic separation scheme (TSS) is a set of one-way lanes divided by a separation zone, shown in magenta on the chart. You will meet them in the Dover Strait, off Ushant, in the Strait of Gibraltar, between Corsica and Sardinia (Bonifacio) and in the Strait of Messina.

• Follow a lane in the direction of traffic, keeping clear of the separation zone.
• Join or leave at the ends, or from the side at as small an angle as practicable.
• Avoid crossing. If you must, cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow. The rule says heading, not track: keep the bow at 90° and let the tide carry you sideways. You spend the least time in the lanes and ships can see you are crossing.
• A vessel under 20 m or a sailing vessel shall not impede a power-driven vessel following a lane.
• Do not anchor in a TSS or near its ends, and do not loiter in the separation zone.
• Inshore traffic zones, between the scheme and the coast, may be used by vessels under 20 m, sailing and fishing vessels, and are usually the better choice for coastal passages.

"If you had to cross a traffic separation scheme, how would you do so?" Avoid it if you can; otherwise cross as quickly as possible on a heading at right angles to the traffic flow, keeping clear of ships in the lanes. Under sail, start the engine if the wind will not let you hold the heading.

Restricted Visibility (Rule 19)

In fog, vessels are not in sight of one another, so the give-way and stand-on rules (11 to 18) do not apply. Instead every vessel goes at a safe speed with engines ready. If she detects a vessel by radar alone and a close-quarters situation is developing, she acts in ample time, avoiding a turn to port for a vessel forward of the beam (unless overtaking it) and a turn towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam. On hearing a fog signal forward of the beam, she reduces to the minimum speed to keep steerage way and, if necessary, takes all way off until the danger is past.

For a yacht without radar: slow down, listen, sound your fog signal, and stop if you hear a ship ahead until you know where she is.

Manoeuvring and Warning Signals (Rule 34)

When vessels are in sight, a power-driven vessel that alters course or goes astern under the rules signals it on her whistle:

A short blast is about one second, a prolonged blast four to six seconds. Ships may add matching white light flashes. A yacht under sail does not sound 1 or 2 blasts, but under engine she should; an aerosol horn will do. Anyone may sound five short blasts. A ship sounding three short may still be moving ahead for some time.

The Other Rules, Briefly

Worked Example: A Morning Off Split

You skipper a 12 m charter yacht from Split towards Hvar, wind north-west Force 4.

1. Leaving harbour under engine, you keep to the starboard edge of the fairway used by car ferries. A ferry coming up astern is overtaking and must keep clear, but you stay well to starboard so as not to impede her in the confined approach.
2. Under sail on starboard tack, a yacht on port tack closes on a steady bearing. She gives way (Rule 12). You hold course and speed; she bears away astern of you.
3. A trawler showing two cones points together approaches on a steady bearing. A sailing vessel keeps clear of a vessel engaged in fishing (Rule 18), so you tack early and pass well astern, clear of her warps.
4. The wind dies and you motor. You are now power-driven. A motor cruiser approaches head-on: you both turn to starboard, and you sound one short blast.
5. A tourist boat comes from your starboard side on a steady bearing. She is on your starboard side, so you give way (Rule 15): you slow down and turn to starboard to pass astern, rather than racing across her bow.

Common Mistakes

• "Power gives way to sail" everywhere. Not when the yacht is overtaking, motoring, or in a channel or lane where she must not impede.
• Small alterations. Make it 30° or more, or slow right down.
• Stand-on vessel turning to port for a power-driven vessel on her port side.
• Holding on too long. The stand-on vessel may act once the other clearly is not, and must act when collision cannot otherwise be avoided.
• Judging risk from one look. Take a series of bearings.
• Crossing a TSS on a diagonal heading. The heading must be at right angles.
• Nobody on watch "just for a minute".

Summary

• Keep a proper lookout by sight, hearing and all available means at all times (Rule 5).
• Safe speed lets you stop and act effectively; in fog, slow enough to stop within the visibility (Rule 6).
• Steady compass bearing and closing range means risk of collision; if in doubt, it exists (Rule 7).
• Avoiding action is early, positive, large and seamanlike (Rule 8).
• Sail: port tack gives way to starboard, windward to leeward (Rule 12). Overtaking vessel keeps clear (Rule 13). Power head-on: both turn to starboard (Rule 14). Power crossing: the one with the other on her starboard side gives way (Rule 15).
• Stand-on: hold course and speed, may act, must act, and avoid turning to port for a power vessel on your port side (Rule 17).
• Priority: NUC, RAM, CBD, fishing, sailing, power (Rule 18).
• Narrow channels and TSS lanes: small and sailing vessels must not impede ships; cross at right angles (Rules 9 and 10).
• One short: starboard. Two short: port. Three short: astern. Five short: I doubt your intentions (Rule 34).

Check Your Understanding

1. Is it ever acceptable to leave nobody on watch in open water for a few minutes?

Answer: No. Rule 5 requires a proper lookout by sight and hearing at all times.

1. In thick fog, how fast should you go?

Answer: At a safe speed: slow enough to stop within the distance you can see while keeping full control, with the engine ready for immediate use.

1. How can you tell whether there is a risk of collision with an approaching vessel?

Answer: Take a series of compass bearings. If the bearing does not appreciably change and the range is closing, risk exists. If in doubt, assume it does.

1. You are on port tack. A yacht to windward is running downwind and you cannot see which side her mainsail is on. What do you do?

Answer: Keep out of her way (Rule 12(a)(iii)).

1. You are the stand-on vessel and the give-way vessel is not altering. What do you do?

Answer: Keep checking bearings, sound at least five short and rapid blasts, then act yourself once it is apparent she is not acting, avoiding a turn to port for a power-driven vessel on your port side. If collision can no longer be avoided by her action alone, you must take the best action to avoid it, including stopping.

1. Your yacht is motoring. A yacht under sail crosses from your port side on a steady bearing. Who gives way?

Answer: You do. A power-driven vessel keeps out of the way of a sailing vessel (Rule 18), whichever side she is on, unless the sailing vessel is overtaking.

1. You are in a narrow channel and a large ship approaches. What should you do?

Answer: Keep to the starboard edge, or outside the channel if there is depth, and do not impede the ship. Act early and obviously.

1. How should you cross a traffic separation scheme?

Answer: Avoid it if possible. Otherwise cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow, as quickly as possible, without impeding power-driven vessels in the lanes.

1. What do one short blast and five short blasts mean?

Answer: One short: I am altering my course to starboard. Five or more short and rapid: I do not understand your intentions, or I doubt you are taking sufficient action to avoid collision.