International Navigation Rules

Just as there are "Rules of the Road" for vehicles on the streets, there are "Nautical Rules of the Road" for vessels on the water. The proper name for these are "Navigation Rules," and for most of the users of this book there are two sets of rules, much alike, but not identical.

For the high seas - the open oceans - there are the International Rules, the full name of which is the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972. The Coast Guard often abbreviates these as the "COLREGS" - sometimes "72 COLREGS" - to distinguish them from earlier versions. With the ratification of the treaty including these regulations, they became U.S. laws. There are 38 numbered Rules, organized in five Parts: A - General, B - Steering and Sailing Rules, C - Lights and Shapes, D - Sound and Light Signals, and E - Exemptions. There are also four Annexes (I through IV) with technical specifications and requirements.

For inland waters, most nations use the International Rules, perhaps supplemented by a few local regulations to cover domestic situations. (Canada's modifications are printed at the end of this chapter.) The United States, however, takes advantage of the authorization in International Rule 1(b) to establish the Inland Navigation Rules. These are applicable on most, but not all, "inland waters." The U.S. Inland Rules are numbered 1 through 38 with wording that closely, in some cases exactly, matches the International Rules (there is no Inland Rule 28, but the number is included as a blank so that the following Rules will match the International Rules numbers). There are the corresponding four Annexes, slightly different from the International Rules in requirements, plus a U.S. only Annex V, the U.S. Pilot Rules.

Both sets of Rules are written in terms of "vessels," and this means all watercraft regardless of size, from personal watercraft (jet-skis and the like) to supertankers. Of course, common sense and good judgement must be applied in situations such as right of way, but no small boat is excused in any manner from compliance with the Rules.

The International and Inland Rules both use metric measurements for size, dimensions, and short distances (such as the spacing of lights); longer distances (such as for the visibility of lights) remain measured in nautical miles. A conversion table for metric values used in the Rules.

For all skippers, thorough knowledge of the Navigation Rules is absolutely essential. This knowledge should be in their heads - when a dangerous situation develops, it's too late to look "in the book" for the applicable Rule and the appropriate action.

Chapter Organization
This chapter is organized so that you can easily compare the International and Inland versions. They are printed in parallel - International on the left, Inland on the right. Usually it is quite obvious where they differ; the most important differences are noted in the commentary text.

The comments printed in shaded boxes alongside the rules were written for Reed's by Elbert "Mack" Maloney. He manages to point out essential aspects of the rules in a way that is useful for both beginning and experienced mariners.

In addition to the complete rules with Annexes, this chapter contains the U.S. COLREGS demarcation lines, which define the border between U.S. Inland Rules and the International Rules.

At the end of the chapter we have published the Canadian Rules, which are modifications or additions to the International Rules.

Note: This publication fulfills the requirement that a vessel over 12 M (39.4 ft.) in length in U.S. Inland waters must carry a copy of the Rules on board.

Notice
In October, 1996, President Clinton signed Public Law 104-324. Section 701 of that Act made seven changes to the Inland Navigation Rules. As this book goes to press in February of 1998, the U.S. Coast Guard has not yet "promulgated" these changes; that is, they have not yet printed or started to enforce them. Reed's has printed the up-to-date text of the rules with the new changes, which, according to our sources, are legally in effect and actually have been since Oct., 1996. The changes are each noted in the remarks. On February 4, 1998, the USCG issued a number of changes (effective March 6, 1998) to Annex I, the Pilot Rules, and the Interpretive Rules; we managed to get all of them into this chapter just before publication.

Aside from the above, the text of these Rules is exactly the same as the most recent USCG publication, COMDTINST M16672.2C. We expect that the next printing of the USCG Rules will reflect all these changes. Any further changes to the Rules will be published in our annual supplement and on our web site, www.treed.com.

Back to top

General Rules

Rule 1 Application

(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.

(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by an appropriate authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes, or inland waterways connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as possible to these rules.
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by the Government of any State with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or with respect to additional station or signal lights, or shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape or signal authorized elsewhere under these Rules.
(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by the Organization for the purpose of these Rules.
(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, such vessel shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, as her Government shall have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect of that vessel.

Rule 1
The U.S. Inland Rules and the International Rules are mutually exclusive; waters are subject to one or the other, but not both, although in many cases the Rules are the same. The boundary between them is termed a "COLREGS Demarcation Line." These lines are described in Federal Regulations (published later in this chapter), and are shown on all applicable charts. The Demarcation Lines must be studied carefully and clearly understood; there are areas of U.S. waters that would logically be thought of as "inland" - along the northeast Maine coast, in the lower Florida Keys, all of Puget Sound, and others - but which are subject to the International Rules.

Both the International and Inland Rules provide for exceptions and special provisions for naval vessels. This covers the unusual shape of some vessels such as aircraft carriers. The Inland Rules also prescribe a special light for submarines due to their large bulk that is underwater and out of sight; this is an amber (yellow) all-round light flashing three times at one-second intervals, followed by a dark interval of three seconds.

Back to top

Rule 2 Responsibility

(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Rule 2
This is often referred to unofficially as the "Rule of Good Seamanship" or the "General Prudential Rule." This Rule first states that all the Rules must be complied with, and the customary practices of good seamanship must be followed. But it then goes on to recognize that there may be "special circumstances." Its intention is to apply common sense to the interpretation and application of the Rules, and to prevent any perversion of the Rules to avoid the consequences of their misconstruction or misapplication. It recognizes that a departure from the strict language of the Rules may be required to avoid immediate danger - no vessel has the right of way through another vessel! There may be special situations where a departure from the Rules is not only desirable, but is required. Should a collision result, strict literal compliance with the Rules may not be a defense.

Back to top

Rule 3 General Definitions

For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:

(a) The word "vessel" includes every description of watercraft including
nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(b) The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
(d) The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.
(e) The word "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.
(f) The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which, through some exceptional circumstance, is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules, and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
(g) The term "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" means a vessel which, from the nature of her work, is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. The term "vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver" shall include but not be limited to:

(h) The term "vessel constrained by her draft" means a power-driven vessel which, because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.
(i) The word "underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
(j) The words "length" and "breadth" of a vessel mean her length overall and greatest breadth.
(k) Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from the other.
(l) The term "restricted visibility" means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.

Rule 3
There are four of these definitions of particular importance to skippers of small craft. The Rules are written in terms of "vessels," and this means all watercraft regardless of size or description - a rowboat or dinghy, a personal watercraft (PWC), a recreational craft or fishing boat, a cruise ship, freighter, or tanker - these are all "vessels" as far as the Navigation Rules are concerned. Of course, common sense and good judgement must be applied in situations such as right of way, but no small boat is excused in any manner from compliance with the Rules.

A "sailing vessel" has that status only if it is not using mechanical propulsion. Even if the sails are up and being used, if the engines are running it is a "power-driven" vessel and does not have the special privileged status of a sailboat.

A sport-fishing boat with trolling lines out is not considered a "vessel engaged in fishing" with a special status and privileges. Such lines are not considered a restriction in her ability to maneuver.

Note carefully the definition of "underway." Remember that even when you are "just drifting" you are still underway as regards the Navigation Rules; a vessel that is drifting is sometimes informally described as "underway with no way on." This is particularly relevant in foggy situations or other conditions of restricted visibility.

Note also that the Inland Rules contain definitions not in the International Rules, such as "Western Rivers."