Rules of the road

The page shows  Crvptic Summary of the Rules of the Road, full Rules are included in the International Regulations For Preventing Collisions at Sea – RYA G2/90 Publication

Rule 5: Maintain proper look out

Rule 6: Safe Speed:

• Visibility

• Traffic density incl. fishing vessels

• Manoeuvrability

• Background or reflecting lights

• Sea, wind & current state & proximity of hazards

• Draught vs. depth

Rule 7: Use all means to assess risk of collision

• AIS

• Radar

• Compass bearing consistency

• Size of other vessel

Rule 8: Action to avoid collisions:

• Positive, obvious, ample time, observance of good seamanship

Rule 9: Narrow Channels:

• keep to starboard limit

• <20m or Sailing Yacht shall not impede larger vessel

Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes:

• Cross with heading at 90°

• Sailing vessels shall not impede a power driven vessel

Rule 12: Sailing Vessels To Give Way:

• Windward boat on same tack or boat on port tack

Rule 13: Overtaking:

• Start by seeing stern or stern light

• Remain as overtaking boat until past and clear

Rule 14: Head On Situation:

• Both veer to starboard

Rule 15: Crossing situation - Power:

• See other vessel over starboard - give way

Rule 16: Action of Give Way Vessel:

• Clear and substantial action

Rule 17: Stand On Vessel:

• Maintain course and speed

Rule 18: Responsibilities Between Vessels:

Power gives way to:

1. Not under command

2. Restricted in manoeuvrability

3. Fishing

4. Sail

Sail gives way to 1) , 2), 3)

Rule 19: Restricted Visibility:

• Maintain safe speed

• Radar using vessel shall take action if they see that a collision situation exists

• On hearing fog signal from vessel forward reduce speed until situation clear

Rule 20: Lights:

• Use Sunset to Sunrise & restricted visibility

Rule 21: Light Definitions:

Rule 22: Visibility Of Lights:

• Vessels <12m sidelights 1 mile others 2 miles

• Vessels <5Om masthead 3-5 miles others 2 miles

• Vessels >5Om masthead 6 miles others 3 miles

Rule 23: Power - Underway:

• Masthead, stern & sidelights

• >5Om 2nd masthead light abaft and higher than first

• Hovercraft - extra all round yellow

• <7m <7Kn -only an all round white light required

Rule 24: Towing & Pushing:

• 2 masthead lights forward, 3 if tow >100m

• Towing light above stern light (yellow)

• Towed vessel -side lights & stern light, Diamond shape

• Partially submerged - 2 All round white lights, >25m 4 white lights, >100m additional white lights, Diamond shape at rear

Rule 25: Sailing Vessels or Vessel under Oars:

• Sidelights & stern light

• <7m or under oars - a torch

• Vessel under sail and power - conical shape, point down

Rule 26: Fishing (only when engaged in fishing):

• Making way sidelights & stern +

• o Trawler: Green over white, 2 cones apex together, or <20m basket, + masthead light abaft if >50m

• o Fishing: Red over white, 2 cones apex together, or <25m basket, + masthead light abaft if >50m, if lying gear >150m then all round white

• light or cone apex up in direction of gear

Rule 27: Not Under Command & Restricted In Manoeuvrability

• Not under command: 2 all round red lights, 2 balls, + side & stern if making way

• Restricted manoeuvrability: red white red, ball diamond ball, + power lights if making way, at anchor these + normal anchor lights

• Towing vessels with restricted manoeuvrability show red white red + towing lights

• Dredger: 2 reds, 2 balls at obstructed side, 2 greens, 2 diamonds, at clear side, + Restricted in manoeuvrability lights if approp.

• Dredger engaged in diving may use red white red + flag A

• Mine Clearing: 3 greens at cross pos., 3 balls at cross pos. + power lights -give 1000m clearance

Rule 28: Vessels Constrained By Draught:

• 3 reds + power lights, cylinder shape

Rule 29: Pilot vessel:

• white red + side & stern if underway, at anchor -white red + anchor lights

Rule 30: Vessels Anchored or Aground:

• Anchored: all round white or ball, >50m 2nd white, >l00m add working lights, <7m lights not normally required

• Aground: anchor lights + >12m 2 reds, 3 balls

Rule 31: Seaplanes:

Rule 32: Sound Definitions:

Rule 33: Sound Equipment:

Rule 34: Manoeuvring & Warning Signals:

Power Vessels:

• alt. to starboard (short) &/or (1 flash)

• alt. to port (2 shorts) &/or (2 flashes)

• going astern (3 shorts) &/or (3 flashes)

• o'take to stbd (2 longs, short)

• o'take to port (2 longs, 2 shorts)

• agree to be o'taken (long, short, long, short)

• what are your intentions (5+ shorts) &/or (5+ flashes)

• Approaching bend (long), answer (long)

Rule 35: Restricted Visibility:

• power making way (long @ =/<2min)

• power stopped (2 longs @ =/<2min)

• not under command, constrained by draught, restricted manoeuvrability, sailing vessel, fishing vessel -engaged in fishing, towing or pushing vessel (long, 2 shorts @ =/<2min)

• Fishing vessel or restricted manoeuvrability at anchor (long, 2 shorts)

• Towed vessel - if manned (long, 3 shorts @ =/<2min), follows towing vessel signal

• Vessel at anchor: rapid bell for 5 secs @ =/<lmin

  • >l00m bell forward and gong aft may be supplemented by (short, long, short)

  • <12m some efficient sound @ =/<2min

• Vessel aground:

  • 3 bell strikes, rapid bell, 3 bell strikes

  • >l00m above + gong aft

  • <12m as at anchor

• Pilot vessel as for power vessel + (4 shorts)

Rule 36: To Attract Attention:

• sound or light signal which can't be confused with other signals

Rule 37: Distress signals:

Rule 38: Exemptions -vessels <1964 (mainly position of lights)