The International Maritime Organization created regulations to prevent boat collisions, including rules for right of way and navigation lights. Ships must keep watch and use local knowledge to reduce collision risks, and follow special regulations in certain circumstances.
There are several different rules and regulations that must be followed to avoid a boat collision. In 1973, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) created specific regulations to prevent such accidents. These regulations establish the means that an ocean-going vessel must undertake to avoid a collision with a ship, such as watching and maintaining reasonable speeds. There are very specific rules regarding what types of ships have the right of way in various situations and what each ship must do. Ship pilots can also use extensive local knowledge to further reduce a ship’s collision risks.
In order to avoid a ship collision, ships are generally required to keep watch during all hours of the day. This means that someone must be physically searching around the ship for potential vessels or hazards. It also means that someone must listen to other vessels, either by auditory cues or by using various radios. As part of keeping watch, a ship’s pilot may use visual references and his knowledge of local currents and tides to maintain the ship’s course.
Ships are also required to carry certain navigation lights to help pilots and crew members keep watches. Depending on the length of the boat, the mast light, sidelights, trailer light, and all-round lights must be visible from distances of 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 kilometers). The mast light is usually a white light that is centered on the vehicle and shines in a straight line. Sidelights are green on starboard and red on port, and can be used in low visibility to determine a vessel’s physical orientation for collision avoidance.
There are very specific regulations regarding the right of way, which generally becomes the responsibility of the pilot in congested waters near a port. When a ship gives way, it is said to give way, while the other ship is said to be stationary. Powered boats generally have to give way to sailing and fishing boats. Similarly, sailing vessels must generally give way to vessels engaged in fishing. All vessels are required to give way to non-command vessels, which are those unable to maneuver properly for whatever reason.
There are also special regulations for certain circumstances. In narrow channels, vessels are required to keep to starboard. Small vessels are also generally prohibited from interfering with a larger vessel’s ability to use a channel when that is the only water deep enough for the larger vessel to navigate. In cases where a traffic regulation scheme limits certain vessels to a narrow lane, other vessels wishing to cross that lane must do so at a 90 degree angle if possible. When these and other regulations are followed, a boat collision can often be avoided.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
