Lesson 25: General Rules of the Road

Rule 1, Application

(a) International -These rules shall (see definition above) apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connecting therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.
(b) International – Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by appropriate authorities for roadsteads, harbors, rivers, lakes, or inland waterways connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as possible to these Rules.
(c) International – Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any State with respect to additional stations or signal lights, shapes, whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy or with respect to additional stations or signal lights for shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet.
(d) International – Traffic Separation Schemes (VTS) may be adopted by the Organization for the purpose of these Rules.
(e) International – Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range of arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound signaling appliances, such vessels shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range of arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound signaling appliances, as her Government shall have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect to that vessel.


(a) Inland – These rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law.
(b) Inland – (i) These Rules constitute special rules made by an appropriate authority within the meaning of Rule 1(b) of the International Regulations. (ii) All vessels complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations are considered to be in compliance with these Rules.
(c) Inland – Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rule made by the Secretary of the Navy with respect to additional stations or signal lights and shapes or whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or by the Secretary (of Homeland Security) with respect to additional station or signal lights and shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet.
(d) Inland – Traffic separation schemes may be established for the purposes of these Rules.
(e) Inland - Whenever the Secretary determines that a class of vessels of special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range of arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound signaling appliances, such vessels shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range of arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound signaling appliances, as the Secretary shall have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules. The Secretary may issue a certificate of alternative compliance for a vessel or class of vessels specifying the closest possible compliance with these Rules. The Secretary of the Navy shall make these determinations and issue certificate of alternative compliance for vessels of the Navy.
(f) Inland – The Secretary may accept a certificate of alternate compliance for a vessel or class of vessels specifying the closest possible compliance with these Rules.

Comment:

• International - All oceans and connected navigable US waterways except those shoreward of the COLREG Demarcation Line (inland waters, Great Lakes, and Western Rivers). Shoreward of the COLREG line, applicable US Inland rules shall prevail with the exception of those waters specified by the Secretary, such as Puget Sound, where International rules shall be followed.
• Regardless of International Rule1(a) special rules may apply, the reservation of the rule for harbors and inland navigation for local governments.
• Special rules for warships, ships in a convoy, and fishing vessels in a fleet. Warships and fishing vessels may use special lights, shapes, and signals that cannot be confused for any light, shape, or signal authorized in the International Regulations.
• Vessels of unusual construction or use may deviate as long as they comply closely as possible.

Rule 2, Responsibility

(a) International and Inland – Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(b) International and Inland – In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Comment:

• Rule 2(a), commonly referred to as the “Good Seamanship Rule”.
• The following are examples of precautions which may be required by ordinary seamen or by special circumstances:
- A vessel underway would be expected to keep clear of a vessel at anchor as a matter of seamanship. But a vessel underway and stopped must not rely on other vessels keeping out of her way unless she is not under command and is showing the appropriate signals.
- When a vessel anchors she must do so without endangering other vessels which may be navigating close by.
- In dense fog a vessel may be not justified in being underway at all but should anchor if it is safe and practicable.
- When two vessels are approaching one another in a difficult current situation it should be the duty of the vessel having the current against her to wait until the other vessel is clear and passed.

• Rule 2(b), commonly referred to as the “Special Circumstances Rule”.
- In Extremis - Immediate departure from the rules by the stand-on vessel to avoid collision with give-way vessel.
- Approach of a Third Vessel - When more than two vessels find themselves in a close-quarter situation.
- Unable to Comply with the Rules – Not enough searoom or physically not possible to comply with the Rules.
- Departure from the Rules by Agreement – When vessel’s agree to not to follow the Rules.
- Situations NOT Covered by the Rules – A situation where the Rules provide no particular guidance as to how to maneuver with respect to another vessel.