COMPLEXITY

OF SOME TERMS
Part B of the Colregs may well be the most difficult and complex part
where some terms and expressions are used that may create some
misunderstanding and/or doubt in the neophyte or young OOW.
The terms that need to be understood without any ambiguity are:
1.Close-quarters situation
2.Risk of Collision
3.Keep out of the way.
4.Not to impede
All these term may or may not be used in connection with each other.

Close-quarters situa.on
The term close-quarters situation has been defined and describe, iIn its
simplest form, in Rule 7.
(See Presentation, slides 7/27, 19/32).
In the figure of next slide, the following statements can be made: It is
obvious that vessels A and B represent a greater potential danger than
vessesl C, D and E. Further, vessel A is a greater danger to the own vessel
(as stand-off vessel) than vessel B (as give-way vessel) (Rule 15).
Vessel C is also a stand-on vessel but vessels D and E who are overtaking
vessels, are definitely give-way vessels.
The minute a close-quarters situation is developing with another vessel
whether in sight or not there is a potential risk of collision and the
necessary action needs to be taken to get safely out of this situation. Once
a close-quarters situation has been cleared, risk of collision is theoretically
also cleared and any vessel outside the close-quarters zone must be
closely monitored until all risk of collision is finally passed.
The rule of thumb should be:
As far as possible, avoid any vessel to enter the close-quarters zone.

Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Proper use of Radar Equipment

(Rule 7, (b))

Close quarters situa.on:

Hatched zone in gure

3 or 2 miles depending on:
Area (open sea, narrow
channel)
Size and speed of vessel
Manoeuvrability of vessel
Hazards in the vicinity
Experience
Judgement

In narrow channels:
Vessels will inevitably pass closer to
one another

Rule 19 - Conduct of vessels

in restricted visibility

Detection by radar alone

Rule 19 (d)

Close-quarters situation
The distance of a close quarters situation is difficult to measure in miles.
It depends upon a number of factors:
- Size and manoeuvring characteristics of the vessels
- The speed of the vessels
- The traffic density
- Experience and judgement of the Master and/of the OOW
- Etc.

Distances of 2 to 3 miles are usually suggested, being the range of

visibility of the sidelights or the range of audibility of large vessels.
According the local circumstances, distances of less than 2 miles may
be sufficient (slow speed, overtaking, passing clearly astern, etc.

Risk of Collision
In its simplest form, risk of collision may start to develop when two
or more vessels have approached one another so close, that if no
action is taken by one or all vessels, a collision would almost be
inevitable.
Risk of collision has been dealt with in Rule 7 and 8.
(See Presentation, slides 7/17, 7/19, 7/20, 7/21 and 8/12.)
As a general rule one could admit that when vessels approach one
another at a distance of 3 to 4 miles or less a potential risk of
collision is developing.

Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Risk of Collision

(Rule 7, (a))

It is difficult to define "risk of collision", but,

the view of A.N. Cockcroft is, that "risk may
be considered to begin when two vessels
have approached so close to one another
that a departure from the rules by either
would bring danger of collision"

Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Risk of Collision

(Rule 7, (a))

Factors determining Risk of Collision :

The bearing of the vessel(s)
Distance between two vessels
Speed of approach
Do courses cross one another
The number of vessels in the vicinity
If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist
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Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Risk of Collision

(Rule 7, (a))

Some of the main difficulties in the Colregs are :

How far apart must vessels be before there is
risk of collision
When is a stand-on vessel obliged to keep
course and speed

Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Risk of Collision

(Rule 7, (a))

Risk of collision does not apply to vessels at great distances and with a
low speed of approach

Example
At a distance of 14,76 miles,
there is no risk of collision;
hence, the Colregs do not yet
apply

Rule 7 - Risk of collision

Risk of Collision

(Rule 7, (a))

In rivers, narrow channels, canals and harbours, risk of collision applies

at relative shorter distances

Example
On the open sea, a distance of
6 miles or less and with a high
speed of approach, risk of
collision may start to develop;
hence, the Colregs do apply

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Keep out of the Way

When there is risk of collision between two vessels one of them must
take avoiding action (or keep out of the way) to avoid a possible
collision. There are some exceptions such as Head-on situations,
permissive actions, last minute actions and Dual actions.
(See also the relevant slides which deal with this subject).

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Rule 8 - Action to avoid collision

Keep in mind that :

See also Rule 7, (a)

The colregs are not applicable at long range, when the

distance between the two ships is so big that the risk of
collision does not yet exist:
Both vessels are then free to take any action
What is long range ?
This is not quantified in the colregs
It varies for each vessel according to her manoeuvring
characteristics and dimensions

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Keep out of the Way

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.

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Rule 16 - Ac.on by give-way vessel

Main measures by give-way vessel
Take early ac.on (in ample .me)
Take substan.al ac.on (course and/or speed)
Keep well clear (pass at a safe distance)

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Not to Impede
Not to impede may well be the most difficult term used in the Colregs. It
is also the term which is least understood by students and young OOW.
Not to impede the passage means that a vessel shall not hamper,
hinder or obstruct the passage of another vessel.
Some vessels like vessels proceeding in a narrow channel, sailing
vessels, fishing vessels, deep draught vessels, etc. often cannot
maneuver at liberty or take avoiding action and hence, they should not
be impeded in their activities or in their conditional status.
Not to impede can also be described as stay away, and dont bother
the other vessel. In fact, allow her sufficient sea-room.

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Not to Impede
Where does the expression Not to Impede appear:
Rule 8f:
Rule 9b:
Rule 9c:
Rule 9d:
Rule 10i:
Rule 10j:
20m
Rule 18d:

Action to avoid collision

Narrow channels sailing vessels less than 20m
Narrow channels fishing vessels
Narrow channels crossing vessels
Traffic Separation fishing vessels
Traffic Separation sailing vessels less than
Responsibilities between vessels constrained by
their draught

In fact, not to impede should also apply to vessels not under

command, vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver (dredgers,
buoying ships, cable layers, etc),
(See also the relevant slides which deal with this subject).

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Rule 8 - Ac.on to avoid collision

Do not impede the passage

Rule 8 (f) (i)

Difference between keep out of the way and not

to impede
Keep out of the way only applies when risk of collision
exists and one of the two vessels has to take decisive
action to avoid it
Not to impede. Risk of collision does not yet exist and the
concerned vessel is, in effect, being asked to take early
action to avoid such a risk developing
For more details regarding the terms: Close-quarters situation,
Risk of Collision, Not to Impede and Keep Out of the Way,
see COMPLEXITY of some TERMS after the Rule 19 slides 17

Rule 16 - Action by give-way vessel

Do not confuse keep out of the way with not to impede

Keep out of the way applies as soon as

risk of collision between two ships starts to materialize
when there is a risk of collision
the give-way vessel must take action to avoid it

Not to impede applies before

risk of collision appears
the vessel takes action so that
no risk of collision starts to develop
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Rule 8 - Ac.on to avoid collision

Do not impede the passage

Rule 8 (f) (ii)

The obligation not to impede the passage or safe passage of another

vessel, remains even if a risk of collision already exists
In other words:
If risk of collision has developed between a not to impede vessel and
another vessel, the not to impede vessel will not automatically become a
stand-on vessel and the other vessel a give-way vessel
The not to impede vessel will not be relieved of her obligation to keep
out of the way. Any stand-on action required by any other Rule will be
overridden

The not to impede vessel will not be relieved of her obligation

to also take the necessary action to allow sufficient room for the
passage or safe passage of the other vessel

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THE FOUR STAGES IN A

COLLISION SITUATION

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Rule 17 - Action by stand-on vessel

General considerations
THE FOUR STAGES IN A COLLISION SITUATION
1. At long range/ Action not yet compulsory but permitted:

Before risk of collision exists both vessels are free to

take action
2. Risk of collision begins to apply:

The give-way vessel must take action

The stand-on vessel must keep course and speed
3. When it becomes apparent that give-way vessel is
not taking appropriate action:
The stand-on vessel gives the required whistle signal R34(d)
and takes action to avoid collision by her manuvre alone
4. Collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel
alone:
The stand-on vessel is required to take action to contribute
to the avoidance of collision

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Rule 17 - Action by stand-on vessel

General considerations
THE FOUR STAGES IN A COLLISION SITUATION

The distances at which the various

stages apply will vary considerably:
Great for high speed vessels in
crossing situation
In open sea, crossing situation
between power-driven vessels:
a) outer limit to keep course and speed is
about 5 to 8 miles
b) outer limit for permissive action is
about 2 to 3 miles

Action required
Action permitted
Signal required

Keep course and

speed
Action not yet
compusory
but permitted

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Rule 17 - Action by stand-on vessel

General considerations

THE FOUR STAGES IN A COLLISION SITUATION

Summary

Less than 1 mile

Action required

About 2 to
3 miles

Action permitted
Signal required

Between 5
and 8 miles

Keep course and

speed
Action not yet
compulsory
but permitted

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10

Example Narrow Channel

A: Own vessel - VLCC
B: Oncoming vessel 5; Must
keep Sb of channel

C
G
B
E
F
8

C: Sailing vessel 9,5

May act freely.
No risk of collision
D: Vessel fishing 6

Not impeding.
No risk of collision
E: Yacht < 20 m. 3,6
Impeding + Risk of
collision
F: Power-driven vessel
Impeding + risk of collision
G: Power-driven vessel 8

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Not impeding + No risk of collision yet

THE FOUR STAGES IN A COLLISION SITUATION

Conclusion
The previous slides are only guidelines and examples to determine at
which distance vessels may or must take action to avoid risk of
collision or indeed a collision.
Vessels come in such a variety of sizes, speeds, manoeuvring
characteristics, etc. that strict guidelines are impossible to be given.
Special circumstances may also have their importance such as narrow
channels, hazards to navigation, the degree of visibility visibility, force
and direction of the wind, etc.
The experience of the Master and the OOW play of course a
predominant role in judging when and how to take an avoiding action.
It is consequently important to judge each situation separately and
always act according to good seamanship,
HIC AT NUNC
(Here and now)

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