Navigation Rules: COLREGs and Inland Rules
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules, rule by rule, from the Coast Guard's Navigation Rules handbook.
Rules
- COLREGs Rule 2: Responsibility under the Navigation RulesRule 2 says vessels and crews stay responsible for neglect, allows departures to avoid immediate danger, and sets Inland alternative compliance and carriage rules.
- COLREGs Rule 3: General definitions in the Navigation RulesDefines key terms in the International and Inland Navigation Rules, such as vessel, underway, restricted visibility and vessel not under command.
- COLREGs Rule 6: Safe speed for vesselsRule 6 requires every vessel to proceed at a safe speed at all times and lists the factors to consider, with added radar factors.
- COLREGs Rule 7: Determining risk of collisionRule 7 requires every vessel to use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists and deems risk to exist if there is any doubt.
- COLREGs Rule 8: Action to avoid collisionRule 8 covers how a vessel acts to avoid collision: positive, timely, readily apparent action, checked until the other vessel is past and clear.
- COLREGs Rule 9: Vessel conduct in narrow channels and fairwaysRule 9 sets how vessels keep to the starboard side, avoid impeding others, overtake, signal at bends, and avoid anchoring in narrow channels.
- COLREGs Rule 10: Traffic separation schemesRule 10 sets how vessels use, cross, avoid and anchor in traffic separation schemes, with International and Inland versions.
- COLREGs Rule 12: Right-of-way between two sailing vesselsRule 12 says which of two sailing vessels must keep out of the way when risk of collision exists, based on the wind side and windward.
- COLREGs Rule 13: Overtaking vessels and keeping clearRule 13 requires an overtaking vessel to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken, and explains when a vessel is overtaking.
- COLREGs Rule 14: Head-on situation between power-driven vesselsRule 14 requires power-driven vessels meeting head-on to each alter course to starboard and pass port to port; Inland adds a downbound rule.
- COLREGs Rule 17: Action by the stand-on vesselRule 17 says the stand-on vessel keeps course and speed, when she may maneuver alone, and when she must act to avoid collision.
- COLREGs Rule 19: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibilityRule 19 sets how vessels not in sight of one another must act in restricted visibility: safe speed, radar avoiding action, and slowing for fog signals.
- COLREGs Rule 20: Application of lights and shapes rulesRule 20 says when lights and shapes rules apply: all weathers, lights sunset to sunrise, shapes by day, and compliance with Annex I.
- COLREGs Rule 21: Definitions of navigation light typesRule 21 defines masthead, side, stern, towing, all-round, flashing and (Inland) special flashing lights, including arcs of the horizon.
- COLREGs Rule 22: Minimum visibility ranges of navigation lightsSets the minimum ranges at which the lights prescribed in the Rules must be visible, by vessel length, in the International and Inland rules.
- COLREGs Rule 23: Lights for power-driven vessels underwayRule 23 sets the navigation lights a power-driven vessel underway must show, with extra lights for air-cushion vessels and WIG craft.
- COLREGs Rule 24: Lights and shapes for towing and pushingRule 24 sets the lights and shapes for vessels towing or pushing and for vessels or objects being towed, with International and Inland differences.
- COLREGs Rule 25: Lights and shapes for sailing vessels and oared vesselsRule 25 sets the lights a sailing vessel underway or a vessel under oars must show, plus the cone dayshape when sailing with machinery running.
- COLREGs Rule 26: Lights and shapes for fishing vesselsRule 26 sets the lights and shapes a vessel engaged in fishing must show, covering trawling, other fishing, outlying gear and close-proximity signals.
- COLREGs Rule 27: Lights and shapes for vessels not under command or restrictedRule 27 sets the lights and shapes for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver, including dredging, diving and mine clearance.
- COLREGs Rule 30: Anchored vessels and vessels aground lightsRule 30 sets the lights and shapes for vessels at anchor and aground, with Inland rules for special anchorages and certain barges.
- COLREGs Rule 31: Lights and shapes for seaplanes and WIG craftRule 31 says a seaplane or WIG craft that cannot show prescribed lights and shapes must show ones as closely similar as possible.
- COLREGs Rule 32: Definitions of whistle and blastsDefines whistle, short blast and prolonged blast for the International and Inland Rules, including the length of each blast.
- COLREGs Rule 33: Equipment for sound signals on vesselsRule 33 sets whistle, bell and gong requirements by vessel length and requires another efficient sound signal means for small vessels without the appliances.
- COLREGs Rule 34: Maneuvering and warning whistle signalsRule 34 sets the whistle and light signals vessels use to show maneuvers, overtaking, doubt and bends, with International and Inland differences.
- COLREGs Rule 35: Sound signals in restricted visibilityRule 35 sets the whistle, bell and gong signals vessels must sound in or near restricted visibility, with International and Inland differences.
- COLREGs Rule 36: Signals to attract attentionRule 36 lets any vessel make light or sound signals or use a searchlight to attract attention, and the Inland text adds anchor and aground signals.
- COLREGs Rule 37: Distress signals for vessels needing assistanceRule 37 requires a vessel in distress that needs help to use or exhibit the Annex IV distress signals; inland adds a flashing white light.
- COLREGs Rule 38: Exemptions for older vessels from light and sound rulesRule 38 exempts certain older vessels from some light and sound signal requirements, with separate International and Inland provisions.
Annexes
- COLREGs Annex I: Positioning and details of navigation lightsAnnex I sets where navigation lights and shapes go, plus screens, colors, intensity and sectors, with International and Inland differences.
- COLREGs Annex II: Additional light signals for fishing vesselsAnnex II sets extra lights for fishing vessels near each other: trawlers, pair trawlers and purse seiners, and how those lights must be placed.
- COLREGs Annex III: Technical details of sound signal appliancesSets technical standards for whistles, bells and gongs on vessels, including frequencies, sound levels, positioning and combined systems.
- COLREGs Annex IV: Distress signals under Annex IVAnnex IV lists the signals that indicate distress and need of assistance and prohibits using them, or confusing signals, for any other purpose.
- COLREGs Annex V: Pilot Rules and interpretative rulesExplains Coast Guard interpretative rules on composite units, anchored barges and unmanned towed barges, plus inland blue and red-yellow lights.
Rules
- COLREGs Rules 4-5: Application and look-out in any visibilityRules 4 and 5 say the rules apply in any visibility and that every vessel must always keep a proper look-out by sight, hearing and other means.
- COLREGs Rules 15-16: Crossing situations and give-way vessel actionRules 15 and 16 say which power-driven vessel keeps out of the way in a crossing situation and require early, substantial action by the give-way vessel.
- COLREGs Rules 28-29: Draft-constrained vessels and pilot vessel lightsRules 28 and 29 cover optional lights for vessels constrained by draft and required lights for pilot vessels, with International and Inland differences.