Rules of the Nautical Road

-Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules-

Learning Objectives:
Determine each vessels responsibilities and in
various approach situations.
Understand the parts of Navigation Rules which
govern the navigation of vessels when in sight of
one another, in any condition of visibility, and in
restricted visibility.

Applicable reading: Navigation Rules pages 12-37.

 Section I:
ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Rule 5 - Look-out: Every vessel shall
maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing
at all times.
Rule 6 - Safe Speed: Every vessel shall
proceed at a safe speed so that she can...avoid
collision. The following factors apply:
state of visibility
traffic density
maneuverability of the vessel (turn/stopping
distances)
ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Safe Speed factors (continued):
at night, the presence of background lighting
state of the wind, sea and current
proximity of navigational hazards
vessels draft in relation to surrounding water
characteristics, efficiency and limits of radar equip.
constraints imposed by radar scale
weather, sea-state effect on radar detection
possibility that small vessels may not be detected
number, location and movement of vessels detected
ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Rule 7 - Risk of Collision: Use all available
means to determine if risk of collision exists. If
in doubt, assume risk of collision exists.
Determine Risk of Collision by:
Risk exists if compass bearing of approaching
vessel does not appreciably change with time, and
Understand that even with a appreciable bearing
change, risk may still exist (i.e. a large tug and tow).
 CBDR
C - Constant
B - Bearing
D - Decreasing
R - Range
ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Rule 8 - Action to Avoid Collision: Any
action to avoid collision shall be large enough,
positive and made in ample time so as to be
readily apparent to another vessel observing
visually or by radar.
alteration of course, speed or both may be required
all stop or astern propulsion may be necessary
when operating in close quarters

Course change > 30o, Speed change 5-10 knots

ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Rule 9 - Narrow Channels: Any vessel in a
narrow channel shall proceed near the outer (safe)
limit of the channel on her starboard side. In
addition:
Small vessels (<20m) and sailboats shall not impede
the passage of a larger vessel.
Fishing vessels shall not impede the passage of any
other vessel in a channel.
Use appropriate sound signals when approaching a
bend in the channel, crossing, or overtaking.
Avoid anchoring in narrow channels.
ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes:
Vessels operating in an approved scheme shall:
Proceed only in the appropriate traffic lane,
Keep clear of traffic separation lines or zones,
Normally join or leave only at the termination of the
lane, but when joining or leaving from elsewhere, do so
at as small an angle as possible in the direction of flow.
Avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, cross
at right angles to the direction of the traffic flow.
When not using a scheme, avoid it.
Navigate carefully when near lane end points.
Traffic Separation Scheme

Join or leave at small angles.

Traffic Separation Scheme

Join or leave at small angles.

Traffic Separation Scheme

Join or leave at small angles.

Traffic Separation Scheme

Join or leave at small angles.

Traffic Separation Scheme
Cross the scheme at a right angle.
Traffic Separation Scheme
Cross the scheme at a right angle.
Traffic Separation Scheme
Cross the scheme at a right angle.
 Section II:
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another
Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels: When two sailing
vessels are approaching one another so as to
involve a risk of collision, one of them shall
keep out of the way of the other as follows:
If each has wind on different side, the vessel on a port
tack must avoid the other (stbd tack has right of way).
If both have wind on same side, windward boat must
avoid the other (leeward boat has right of way).
When in doubt as to the other sailing vessels tack, a
vessel on a port tack shall keep out of the way of the
other sailing vessel.
Sailing Right of Way
Wind
Sailing Right of Way
Wind
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

Rule 13 - Overtaking: Any vessel overtaking

another vessel shall keep out of the way of the
vessel being overtaken.
A vessel is overtaking when coming up with another
vessel from greater than 22.5o abaft her beam, (so that at
night the overtaking vessel would see only her sternlight
and not her sidelights).
When in doubt if it is an overtaking situation, assume that
it is and act accordingly.
Any subsequent bearing alteration between the two
vessels shall not change this case from an overtaking
situation to a crossing situation until past and clear.
 Overtaking

abeam

22.5o
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

Rule 14 - Head-on Situation: When two

power-driven vessels are approaching on
reciprocal (or nearly) courses so as to involve a
risk of collision, each shall alter course to
starboard for port-to-port safe passage.
Exists when a vessel sees the other ahead (or nearly)
and by night she could see the masthead light of the
other in a line (or nearly) and both sidelights.
When in doubt as to whether this situation exists,
assume that it does and act accordingly.
Head-on Situation
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

Rule 15 - Crossing Situation: Any approach

situation between two power-driven vessels
which isnt overtaking or head-on, is crossing.
The vessel which has the other on her own
starboard side shall keep out of the way and
shall, if possible, avoid crossing ahead of the
other vessel.
The best action is to maneuver for port-to-port (pass
astern) or all stop and wait for the ship to pass.
Stop sign analogy: When two cars are at stop signs
together, the car on the left yields to the car on the right.
 Crossing Situation

The ship below must yield to

the ship on her stbd. She
chose to maneuver to stbd to
pass astern of the other
vessel, and then come about
on her original course.
 The Approach Situations
MEETING

CROSSING CROSSING

270R 090R

OVERTAKING
 Approach Situation Boundaries
The boundary between
overtaking and crossing
situations is very clear; a
line, exactly 22.5o abaft
each beam, defines the
two different situations.
The boundary between a
crossing and head-on (or
meeting) situation is not
as clearly defined.
Hence, the gray area on
the preceding figure.
When in doubt, assume
worst case, that is a
meeting situation exists
and BOTH vessels must
take action to avoid
collision.
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

Rules 16 & 17 - Give Way & Stand on Vessels:

In overtaking and crossing situations we define
one ship as the Give Way vessel, and the other as
the Stand on Vessel.
Give Way Vessel - must keep out of the way of the
other vessel.
Stand On Vessel - required to maintain course and
speed while the Give Way vessel takes action to
avoid.
Revisit the previous three approach situations.
Define the Give Way and Stand On vessels.
 The Approach Situations
MEETING
BOTH GIVE WAY

CROSSING CROSSING
GIVE WAY STAND ON

270R 090R

OVERTAKING
GIVE WAY
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

Rule 18 - Responsibilities between Vessels:

Establishes the pecking order at sea. Notice
the difference between International and Inland
Rules. The Internatl pecking order follows:
Vessel not under command Most
right-of-
Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver way
Vessel constrained by her draft (Intl only)
Vessel engaged in fishing or trawling
Sailing vessel
Least
Power-driven vessel right-of-
Sea plane way
 Who Has the Right-of-Way?
1. Rule 18 says that vessel
Power-driven vessel A must keep clear.
at 5 knots A
2. Rule 13 says that vessel
B must keep clear.

Vessel restricted in her ability

to maneuver at 15 knots B
 Who Has the Right-of-Way?
Power-driven vessel
at 5 knots A
Vessel restricted in her ability
to maneuver at 15 knots
1. Rule 18 says that vessel
A must keep clear.
2. Rule 13 says that vessel
A must keep clear.
The answer is that ship B must
keep clear. Why? Because the
first line of Rule 18 is: Except
where rules 9, 10 and 13
otherwise require. Rule 13
defines overtaking, and it takes
B
precedence.
Conduct of Vessels in Sight of one Another

This pecking order does not override rules #9

(Narrow channels), #10 (Traffic Sep Schemes)
or #13 (Overtaking). For instance:
A power-driven vessel heading due North at 5 knots
is being overtaken by a vessel restricted in her
ability to maneuver on the same heading at 15
knots.
Even though the pecking order says that the vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver has more right
of way, she is still overtaking another vessel and
must keep clear of her.
 Section III:
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Rule 19 - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility: All vessels must proceed at safe speed,
and a power driven vessel must have all engines
available for immediate maneuver.
Because ships primarily use radar alone to make
determinations of risk, you must take early action to
avoid collision, and make it much more noticeable.
Avoid the following:
Alteration of course to port when a vessel is forward of the
beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken.
Alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the
beam.
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Anytime you hear a fog signal forward of the beam,
or when a close quarters situation cannot be avoided
with a vessel forward of the beam, you must reduce
speed to the minimum at which you can keep you
vessel on her course (bare steerageway).
If necessary take all way off until danger of collision is
over.
Usually incorporated into the COs Standing Orders:
When navigating in Restricted Visibility, slow to a
speed so that she can be stopped within 2 ship lengths.