Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of VisibilityRule 9 : Narrow ChannelsTwo terms are used throughout the Rule that are not defined. They are "narrow channel" (namesake of the Rule) and "(narrow) fairway." We must assume that the drafters of the Rules either believed their meanings to be obvious or else were not able to formulate suitable concise definitions.Rule 9 applies only on waters described by the two terms. What is "narrow" depends on the type of vessel and the circumstances. A "channel" is a natural or dredged lane restricted on either side by shallow water; it is … [Read more...]
Rule 8 – Action to avoid collision
Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of VisibilityRule 8 : Action to avoid collision(a) Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.Qualification of the action: The action should be positive meaning that it should result in the reduction of the risk of collision, not aggravate it.Should be made in ample time, implying that the assessment should be done in time and obviously that means … [Read more...]
Rule 7 – Risk of collision
Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility Rule 7 : Risk of collision a. Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances arid conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.A famous sentence in the Master’s Night Order book was ‘Whenever in doubt, call me’. This holds true with the above Rule. If the watch keeper is in any doubt even the slightest, he should assume that such risk exists and would have to act according to the Rules.Of course in judging such risk, he … [Read more...]
Rule 6 – Safe Speed
Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility Rule 6: Safe Speed Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:-Meaning: A very difficult statement ‘Safe Speed’. Any vessel, which is sailing has some speed and with that, it can cause trouble for others as well as to itself. If the speed is very low and the … [Read more...]
Rule 5 – Lookout
Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility Rule 5 : Look-out Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.Meaning: Lookout is very important and should take about 70 - 80% of the watch keeping officers time. The rest is to be the full appraisal of what he sees, and the action that is taken by him. Lookout is also for getting the feedback on the action that he or the other … [Read more...]
Rule 4 – Application
Section 1 — Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility Rule 4 : Application Rules in this section apply in any condition of visibility.Meaning: The above section applies to all vessels and under any condition of visibility that is good visibility as well as when under poor visibility whatever the cause may be. … [Read more...]