Collision Regulations

Collision Regulations (COLREGS)

Maritime collisions can lead to devastating injuries and damages. Captains and vessel owners who neglect to follow COLREGS place their ships and crews in danger. If you’ve been injured in a maritime collision due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At BOATLAW, LLP, we represent victims of maritime collisions, and we have decades of experience in maritime and admiralty law.

Call 1-800-262-8529 to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys today. We have offices in Seattle, Bellingham, Portland, and San Francisco to serve clients across the Pacific Coast.

• COLREGS Definitions for Vessels
• Steering and Sailing Regulations
• Conduct of Vessel in Sight of Another Regulations
• Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility Regulations
• COLREGS Definitions for Lights
• Light and Sound Regulations
• Additional Resources

Definitions for Vessels in COLREGS

In the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, the following terms have specific legal meanings:

• Vessel: Any watercraft used or capable of being used for transportation on water.
• Power-Driven Vessel: A vessel propelled by machinery.
• Sailing Vessel: A vessel under sail, without the use of propelling machinery.
• Vessel Engaged in Fishing: A vessel restricted in its maneuverability due to fishing operations.
• Vessel Not Under Command: A vessel unable to maneuver as required by COLREGS, and therefore unable to avoid collisions.
• Vessel Constrained by Her Draft: A vessel restricted in movement due to the depth and width of the navigable water.
• Underway: A vessel that is not at anchor, aground, or tied to shore.
• Length and Breadth of a Vessel: The overall length and greatest breadth of a vessel.

Steering and Sailing Rules in COLREGS

COLREGS sets out specific rules to prevent collisions at sea, including:

• Every vessel must maintain a lookout by sight and hearing at all times.
• Vessels must maintain a safe speed, appropriate for conditions, to avoid collisions.
• All available means, such as radar and scanning equipment, should be used to assess collision risks.
• Vessels must take any necessary actions to avoid a collision, following good seamanship practices.
• Vessels should make clear and significant course adjustments when avoiding a collision, so the movement is easily detectable by other vessels.
• In narrow channels, vessels must keep to the starboard side and avoid obstructing traffic.

Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another in COLREGS

The purpose of COLREGS is to avoid crashes or collisions between two or more sea vessels. When multiple ships spot one another, COLREGS has certain rules the operators must adhere to for safety precautions. Carelessly or recklessly ignoring or botching these accommodations may be considered an act of negligence.

Seamen or other maritime workers who have been injured due to a negligence-related maritime collision should seek a personal injury attorney. The following are the rules and regulations vessels must follow if they see another ship.

• When two sailing ships are nearing one another they will do the following to avoid any sort of collision:
  • If each has winds on a different side, the vessel with wind on the port side shall steer away from the other ship;
  • If each has wind on the same side, the vessel which is windward shall steer away from the other leeward vessel;
  • If a vessel with wind on the port side sees another vessel and cannot determine which side the oncoming ship has wind on, the first ship will keep out of the way.
• A vessel is considered to be overtaking when it comes up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. If at night, the vessel that is overtaking should only be able to see the sternlight not the sidelights of the vessel overtaken.
• A vessel that is overtaking another vessel shall stay out of the way of the vessel that is being overtaken;
• If a vessel has some doubts that another vessel is overtaking, then the first should just assume that this is the cast and act accordingly;
• If two power-driven vessels are about to have a head-on collision, each should alter her course to starboard and pass each other on their respective port sides;
• A situation will be deemed a potential head-on collision if a vessel sees another ship ahead or at night sees the masthead light in line with both sidelights;
• If a head-on collision seems possible, both vessels should assume the situation exists and must act accordingly;
• If two power-driven vessels are at risk of collision, the vessel which has the other ship on their starboard side must keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the later ship;
• If a vessel is required to stay on the same course and speed but finds they may be in a potential collision, then she shall take actions to avoid said collision;
• Power-driven vessels that cross legally to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side;
• Power-driven vessels must avoid the following;
  • Vessels engaging in fishing;
  • Vessels restricted in maneuverability; and
  • Vessels not under command;
  • Sailing vessels.
• Sailing vessels must keep out of the way of:
  • Vessels restricted in maneuverability;
  • Vessels not under command; and
  • Vessels engaged in fishing.
• Vessels engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of:
  • Vessels not under command; and
  • Vessels restricted in maneuverability.
• Vessels not under command or vessels restricted by maneuverability must avoid blocking the safe passage of vessels constrained by her draft;
• Seaplanes on the water should keep away from all vessels and avoid hindering their navigations;
• A WIG craft must, when taking off, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their courses;
• A WIG craft operating on the water surface must comply with these rules as a power-driven vessel would.

Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility in COLREGS

When two vessels can see each other, COLREGS requires specific actions to avoid collisions:

• Sailing vessels: When two sailing vessels approach one another, the vessel with the wind on the port side must yield.
• Overtaking vessels: A vessel overtaking another must stay out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
• Power-driven vessels: If two power-driven vessels are on a head-on course, both should turn to starboard to pass port to port.
• Vessels crossing paths: A vessel that has another vessel on its starboard side must yield to avoid crossing in front of it.
• Vessels restricted in maneuverability: Power-driven vessels must yield to vessels engaged in fishing or vessels restricted by their maneuverability.

Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility in COLREGS

In poor visibility conditions, such as fog, COLREGS mandates:

• Vessels must travel at a safe speed, appropriate for limited visibility.
• If another vessel is detected via radar, the assumption must be that a collision risk exists. Corrective action must be taken, avoiding turns to port for vessels detected ahead.
• If another vessel is heard nearby, vessels should slow down to a minimum speed or stop completely until the risk of collision is mitigated.

Light Term Definitions in COLREGS

Lights and sounds are crucial for signaling a vessel’s presence and movements:

• Sidelights: Red (port) and green (starboard) lights.
• Masthead Light: A white light located on the fore and aft centerline.
• Sternlight: A white light placed at the stern.
• Towing Light: A yellow light used at the stern.
• All-Round Light: A light visible from 360 degrees.
• Flashing Light: A light that flashes at least 120 times per minute.

In addition to lighting, sound signals (such as horns) must be used to indicate a vessel’s position and movements, especially in low visibility situations.

Light and Sound Regulations in COLREGS

Vessels must place, use, or terminate their lights at certain times. The purpose of this, in COLREG, is to alert another vessel of your presence and avoid collisions. Certain vessels must have specific lights at designated areas set out by the regulations in COLREG. Any maritime entity that does not maintain their light regulations is compromising the safety of their crew and other vessels.

Additionally, COLREG also requires vessels to sound certain alarms in specific situations. These sounds are to alert other ships of your presence, direction, or situation. If a captain does not use these alarms in the appropriate situations, he or she is being negligent. On the other hand, captain or vessel owners must implement and follow sound signals when at sea to avoid collisions.

Additional Resources

Navigation Rules – Visit the official website for the Navigation Center hosted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Gain access to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREG) and learn the specific rules, regulations, and possible scenarios in the event of a possible collision.

Frequently Asked Questions – Visit the official website for the Navigation Center hosted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Find answers to frequently asked questions for COLREG including which lights can be considered valid, how to report a marine accident, and how kayaks an canoes fit in with COLREG.

Maritime Injury Attorneys for COLREG in Washington and California

If you’ve been injured in a maritime collision caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. BOATLAW, LLP has extensive experience representing injured seamen and maritime workers. We understand the complexities of COLREGS and maritime law and will fight to secure the compensation you deserve.

Call 1-800-262-8529 for a free consultation today. We represent clients in Seattle, Bellingham, Portland, San Francisco, and throughout the Pacific Coast.

This article was last updated on September 16, 2024.