COLREGs Rule 1: Application

Rule 1 says the COLREGs apply to every vessel on the high seas and on all waters connected to them that seagoing vessels can navigate. Local rules for harbours, rivers and lakes can add to them, but should follow them as closely as possible.

What Rule 1 says

1. The rules apply to all vessels on the high seas and on all connected waters navigable by seagoing vessels.
2. Nothing stops a local authority making special rules for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways. Those rules should conform as closely as possible to the COLREGs.
3. Governments may allow extra station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals for warships, ships in convoy and fishing fleets, which should not be mistaken for any COLREGs signal.
4. The IMO may adopt traffic separation schemes for the purpose of these rules.
5. A vessel of special construction or purpose that cannot fully comply with the lights, shapes or sound signal rules should comply as closely as possible.

This is a plain-English summary, not the official wording. For the exact text, see the IMO convention. In UK waters the rules are given legal force by the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations.

What it means on a yacht

A yacht on the sea, in an estuary or in a harbour is bound by the COLREGs. In many UK ports the harbour authority adds local byelaws, for example a small-craft channel or a rule to motor in the main channel, so read the port's notices before you arrive.

Practise it

Test yourself on who gives way in the free COLREGs trainer, or print the rules of the road cheat sheets for the chart table.

Other rules in Part A

• Rule 2: Responsibility
• Rule 3: General definitions

Frequently asked questions