Q. What is part B of Colregs, 72? What are the different sections about?
Ans. Part B is ‘Steering and Sailing Rules’. It has three sections. Section I is ‘Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility’ (Rules 4-10). Section II is ‘Conduct of vessels in sight of one another’ (Rules 11-18). Section III is ‘Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility’ (Rule 19).
Q. What is part F of Colregs, 72?
Ans. Part F is ‘Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention’. This part was adopted in 2013 and came into force in 2016 in pursuance of III Code. The addition however does not affect the practical rules in respect of navigation, sound, lights and shapes.
Q. What are the provisions in respect of crossing as provided in rule no 9 & 10?
Ans. The Rule 9 prohibits ships to cross a narrow channel or fairway, ‘if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.’ Rule 10 on the other hand states that a vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross ‘as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow’.
Q. What is the advantage in crossing the lane as above?
Ans. This reduces confusion to other ships as to the crossing vessel’s intentions and course and at the same time enables that vessel to cross the lane in the quickest way. Moreover even if a vessel has to cross both the lanes or in the situation of possible variation in tidal stream, heading may remain same.
Q. What is the provision about the vessels of less than 20m in length in respect of rule 9 & 10?
Ans. Rule 9: ‘A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway’. Rule 10: ‘A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel, following a traffic lane’. Thus, a power driven vessel maybe a smaller vessel that is following the lane and yet her passage shall not be impeded by any vessel that is less than 20m or by a sailing vessel which might be much bigger.
Q. What is the provision about vessel engaged in fishing in rule 9 & 10?
Ans. Rule 9: ‘A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway’.
Rule 10: ‘A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane’.
Both the rules state the same thing. Thus, to engage in fishing in the respective areas is not prohibited.
Q. What is the provision about vessel engaged in fishing in rule 9 & 10?
Ans. Rule 9: ‘A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway’.
Rule 10: ‘A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane’. Both the rules state the same thing. Thus, to engage in fishing in the respective areas is not prohibited.
Q. What is the implication of rule 10a stating that, ‘This Rule …does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule’.
Ans. In a traffic separation scheme all vessels are obliged to apply rules from any other Part (Part A, B, C, D, E). In particular for steering and sailing all the rules from 1 to 19, except rule 9 and 14 will apply when following rule 10.
Q. Which vessels must not use inshore traffic zones?
Ans. The vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone. Other vessels shall not use an inshore traffic zone when they can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. Notwithstanding above a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.
Q. What is the duty of a vessel crossing a narrow channel?
Ans. A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
Q. What is rule 38 about?
Ans. Rule 38 is exemption. Thus, the ships which comply with the 1960 Collision Regulations and were built or already under construction when the 1972 Collision Regulations entered into force may be exempted from some requirements for light and sound signals for specified periods, (4 years, 8 years or the whole life).
Q. What is Part F?
Ans. Part F is verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention. The rules in part F were adopted in 2013 to bring in the requirements for compulsory audit of Parties to the Convention. Rule 39 provides definitions in respect of part F. Rule 40 states that, ‘Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention’. Rule 41 on Verification of compliance says that, Every Contracting Party is subject to periodic audits by IMO.
Q. What are audit and audit scheme as mentioned in part F?
Ans. Audit means a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.
Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.
Q. What is Code for Implementation?
Ans. Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) adopted by the Organization by resolution A.1070(28).
Q. What is the requirement of audit by party states? Who has responsibility of audit scheme? Who has responsibility of conducting he scheme?
Ans. Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention. The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization. Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
Q. When did the present colregs come in force?
Ans. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea were adopted in October 1972 and entered into force on 15 July 1977.
Q. What are the recent amendments to Colregs?
Ans. In 2001 new rules were added relating to wing in ground (WIG) craft. In 2007 the text of Annex IV (Distress signals) was rewritten.
Q. What is a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver?
Ans. 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.
Q. Give some examples of vessels restricted in her ability to maneuver.
Ans. Following are the examples of ‘vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver’ in the definition given in Colregs. There may be more examples
- a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
- a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
- a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway;
- a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
- a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
- a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.
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