7 COLLISION AVOIDANCE


THE RULES OF THE ROAD The IRPCS starts with some general requirements:


■ The rules apply to all vessels on the high seas. Note that such bodies as harbour and river authorities may have their own regulations.


■ You must maintain a proper lookout at all times.


■ Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed. In other words, skippers must consider such potential hazards as poor visibility, navigational obstructions and traffic density.


■ Actions to avoid collision should be made early and in an obvious manner – by which is meant that it should be clear to other vessels what your intentions are. Altering course 5° might not be noticed, whereas 20° or so certainly would.


Now let’s look at how the rules apply in common situations.


B


Crossing courses (B) When the risk of collision exists, the give way vessel is the one that has the other approaching on its starboard side. The give way vessel should alter course to starboard and drop around the stand on vessel’s stern.


A Head on (A)


There is no stand on vessel in this situation. Each boat must make a clearly obvious turn to starboard so that they pass each other port side to port side.


Overtaking (C) The overtaking vessel should give way. Note that overtaking doesn’t just mean approaching from dead astern. Any vessel gaining on another from anywhere within a 135° arc must give way. This arc coincides with that shown by a sternlight (see page 51).


C 48


RYA Seamanship for Sea Anglers


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