COLREGs & Watchkeeping Flashcards

What does COLREGs stand for?

Answer: Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972

COLREGs stands for the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. These internationally adopted rules govern the conduct of vessels, sound signals, lights, and shapes to prevent collision at sea.

Under COLREGs, what is the 'stand-on' vessel required to do?

Answer: Maintain course and speed so the give-way vessel can anticipate the situation, but take avoiding action if collision becomes inevitable

The stand-on vessel must maintain its course and speed to allow the give-way vessel to take action. However, Rule 17 requires the stand-on vessel to take avoiding action if it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not acting appropriately and collision is imminent.

COLREGs Rule 5 requires a proper look-out at all times. What does this include?

Answer: Sight, hearing, and all available means including radar, AIS, and VHF — a continuous full-time watch

Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing, and by all available means including radar, AIS, and VHF, to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision at all times.

What action does COLREGs Rule 16 require of the 'give-way' vessel?

Answer: Take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the stand-on vessel

Rule 16 requires the give-way vessel to take early and substantial action to keep well clear. 'Early' means as soon as the crossing/overtaking situation is identified; 'substantial' means a clearly evident alteration, not a small change.

Under COLREGs, in a crossing situation where a power-driven vessel has another on its starboard side, who gives way?

Answer: The vessel with the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel — it must keep out of the way

In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, the vessel that has the other on its own starboard side is the give-way vessel and must take action to keep clear. The other vessel is the stand-on vessel.

What lights must a power-driven vessel underway display at night under COLREGs?

Answer: Masthead light forward, second masthead light aft (if over 50m), sidelights (red to port, green to starboard), and stern light (white)

A power-driven vessel underway must display a forward masthead light (white), a second masthead light aft and higher (if 50m or longer), red sidelight to port, green sidelight to starboard, and a white stern light visible astern.