Seaman's Handbook
PART B. Steering and Sailing Rules : Action to Avoid a Collision
(a) Any action taken to avoid a collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part
and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due
regard to the observance of good seamanship.(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the
case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by
radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.(c) If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action
to avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and
does not result in another close-quarters situation.(d) Action taken to avoid a collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at
a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other
vessel in finally past and clear.(e) If necessary to avoid collision of allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall
slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.(f)
- A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to
impede the passage or safe
passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the
case, take
early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other
vessel;
- A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage
of another vessel is not
relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve
risk of collision
and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be
required by the
Rules of this part;
- A vessel, the passage of which is not to be impeded remains
fully obliged to comply
with the Rules of this part when the two vessels are approaching one another
so as to
involve risk of collision.
