STEERING AND SAILING RULES

Section - I

Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility

RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

IN THIS THESE RULE YOU ARE GOING TO

LEARN APPROPRIATE ACTION TO AVOID
RISK OF COLLISION
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(a)Any action taken to avoid 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.
 PRECATION REQUIRED BY GOOD
SEAMANSHIP OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

1. 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
displaying the appropriate signals, she must
comply with the Rules.
 PRECAUTION REQUIRED BY GOOD
SEAMANSHIP OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

2. When a vessel anchors she must do without

endangering other vessels which maybe
navigating close by.

She must not anchor too close to other

anchored vessels.

Sufficient cable must be put out according to

circumstances and a second anchor should be
used if necessary
 PRECAUTION REQUIRED BY GOOD
SEAMANSHIP OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

3. In dense fog a vessel without operational

radar may not be justified in being underway
at all but should anchor if it is safe to and
practicable for her to do so.

4. When two vessels are approaching one

another at a difficult bend in a tidal river it has
been held to be the duty of the one having the
tide against her to wait until the other has
passed.
 PRECAUTION REQUIRED BY GOOD
SEAMANSHIP OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

5. The effect of shallow water must be taken

into account. A vessel moving at fairly high
speed through the water produces pressure
fields which becomes greater when the flow of
water around the ship is restricted.

The is a reduction of pressure beneath the ship

which cause sinkage so that the vessel is said
to SQUAT in the water. In addition to an
increase of mean draft there will usually
change of trim.
 PRECAUTION REQUIRED BY GOOD
SEAMANSHIP OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

6. Rule 10 applies to traffic separation

schemes adopted by the Organization. Before
adoption by IMO a scheme must be approved
by the Maritime Safety Committee.

The Government may, however, in urgent

cases implement a new scheme or an
amendment to an adopted scheme before
receiving IMO’s approval.
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(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.
 GOOD SEAMANSHIP PRINCIPLES
Small angle alteration Large angle alteration
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION

(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.
 RULE 8 – ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION
(d) Action taken to
avoid 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
is finally past and
clear.
2nd
obs.
Detected Risk of
Collision. 3rd obs. 4th obs.
1st obs. Alter course Bearing change Past and clear
No change of bearing
 STEERING AND SAILING RULES
Section - I
Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL
The term “Narrow Channel” need not be of
any particular length and does necessarily
terminate at the last buoys or objects
marking the channel.

The narrow channel rule has been apply to

passage between two piers and to 100 meters
beyond the objects marking the harbour
entrance
 STEERING AND SAILING RULES
Section - I
Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL
The term “Narrow Channel” need not be of
any particular length and does necessarily
terminate at the last buoys or objects
marking the channel.

The narrow channel rule has been apply to

passage between two piers and to 100 meters
beyond the objects marking the harbour
entrance
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL

(a) A vessel 16
proceeding along the 6
16
164
course of a narrow 62 3
162
166
2

3
channel or fairway 22
32

22
shall keep as near to 64
164 156

the outer limit of the 34 154

44

channel or fairway 151

34

161
which lies on her 51
41
166
starboard side as is
41
158 41
31
safe and practicable. 21
21

167 21
168
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL

(b) A vessel of less 16

than 20 meters in 6
16
164
length or a sailing 62 3
162
166
2

3
vessel shall not 22
32

22
impede the passage 64
164 156

of a vessel which can 34 154

44

safely navigate only 151

34

161
within a narrow 51
41
166
channel or fairway.
41
158 41
31
21
21
167 21
168
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL

(c) A vessel engaged 16

in fishing shall not 6
16
164
impede the passage 62 3
162
166
2

3
of any other vessel 22
32

22
navigating within a 64
164 156

narrow channel or 34 154

44

fairway. 151
34

51 161
41
41 166
158 41
31
21
21
167 21
168
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL

(d) A vessel shall not cross 16

a narrow channel or 6
16
164
fairway if such crossing 62 3
162
2

166
impedes the passage of a 22
32 3

vessel which can safely 164 156

22

navigate only within such 64

44
channel or fairway. 34 154
34
151
51 161
The latter vessel may use 166
41
41
the sound signal 158 41
31
prescribed in Rule 34(d) if 21
21
in doubt as to the intention 167
168 21

of the crossing vessel.

 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL

(i) In a narrow channel or 16

fairway when overtaking 6

16
164
can take place only if the 62 3
162
2

166
vessel to be overtaken has 22
32 3

to take action to permit 164 156

22

safe passing, 64
44
34 154
34
> the vessel intending to 151
161
51
overtake shall indicate her 166
41
41
intention by sounding the 158 41
31
appropriate signal 21
21
prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). 167
168 21
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL
The vessel to be overtaken
16
shall, if in agreement, 16
6
sound the appropriate 162
164
2

signal prescribed in Rule 62 3

166
32 3

34(c)(ii) and take steps to 22

22
permit safe passing. 64
164 156

44
If in doubt she may sound 34 154
34
the signals prescribed in 151
161
51
Rule 34(d). 166
41
41
158 41
(ii) This Rule does not 31
21
relieve the overtaking 21
167
168 21
vessel of her obligation
under Rule 13.
 RULE 9 – NARROW CHANNEL
(f) A vessel nearing a bend
or an area of a narrow
channel or fairway where
other vessels may be
obscured by an intervening
obstruction shall navigate
with particular alertness and
caution and shall sound the
appropriate signal prescribed
in Rule 34(e).

(g) Any vessel shall, if the

circumstances of the case
admit, avoid anchoring in a
narrow channel.
 STEERING AND SAILING RULES

(a) This Rule applies to traffic separation

schemes adopted by the Organization and
does not relieve any vessel of her obligation
under any other rule.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
Traffic Separation Scheme - A routeing
measure aimed at the separation of opposing
streams of traffic by appropriate means and
by establishment of traffic lanes
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
Traffic lane – an area within a define limits in
which one-way traffic is established. Natural
obstacles including those forming separation
zones, may continue a boundary.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
Traffic Separation Zone or Line – A zone or line
separating the traffic lanes in which ships are
proceeding in opposite or nearly opposite directions;
or separating a traffic lane from the adjacent sea
area.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
Arrows printed on the chart in connection with
routeing system mere indicate general direction of
established or recommended traffic flow and ship
need to set their courses strictly along the arrows.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
Inshore Traffic
Zone
- A routeing measure
comprising a
designated area
between the landward
boundary of the a
traffic separation
scheme and the
adjacent coast to be
used in accordance
with rule 10(d) as
amended
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions

b. A vessel using a traffic

separation scheme shall:

Proceed in appropriate
lane in the general
direction of the traffic
flow for that lane;
So far as practicable
keep clear of the traffic
separation line or zone
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME

(c) A vessel shall, so

far as practicable,
avoid crossing traffic
lanes but if obliged to
do so:

shall cross on a
heading as nearly as
practicable at right
angles to the general
direction of traffic
flow.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
INSHORE TRAFFIC ZONE
(d) (i) A vessel shall not
(ii) Notwithstanding
use an inshore traffic
subparagraph (d)(i), a
zone when she can safely
vessel may use an
use the appropriate traffic
inshore traffic zone
lane within the adjacent
when en route to or
traffic separation scheme.
from a port, offshore
installation or
However, vessels of less
structure, pilot station
than 20 meters in length,
or any other place
sailing vessels and
situated within the
vessels engaged in fishing
inshore traffic zone, or
may use the inshore
to avoid immediate
traffic zone.
danger.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
Terms & Definitions
(e) A vessel other than a
crossing vessel or a vessel
joining or leaving a lane X
shall not normally enter a
separation zone or cross a
separation line except: EMERGENCY

(i) in cases of emergency

to avoid immediate X
danger;
(ii) to engage in fishing
within a separation zone.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME

(f) A vessel navigating in

areas near the
terminations of traffic
separation schemes shall
do so with particular
caution.
(g) A vessel shall so far as
practicable avoid
anchoring in a traffic
separation scheme or in
areas near its
terminations.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
(h) A vessel not using a traffic
separation scheme shall avoid it
by as wide a margin as is
practicable.
(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall
not impede the passage of any
vessel following a traffic lane.
(j) A vessel of less than 20 meters
in length or a sailing vessel shall
not impede the safe passage of a
power-driven vessel following a
traffic lane.
 RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
(h) A vessel not using a traffic
separation scheme shall avoid it
by as wide a margin as is
practicable.
(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall
not impede the passage of any
vessel following a traffic lane.
(j) A vessel of less than 20 meters
in length or a sailing vessel shall
not impede the safe passage of a
power-driven vessel following a
traffic lane.
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to
maneuver when engaged in an operation for
the maintenance of safety of navigation in a
traffic separation scheme is exempted from
complying with this Rule to the extent
necessary to carry out the operation.
E
X
E
M
P
T
E
D
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
(l) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
when engaged in an operation for the laying,
servicing or picking up of a submarine cable,
within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted
from complying with this Rule to the extent
necessary to carry out the operation.
E
X
E
M
P
T
E
D
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to
maneuver when engaged in an operation for
the maintenance of safety of navigation in a
traffic separation scheme is exempted from
complying with this Rule to the extent
necessary to carry out the operation.
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
RULE 10 – TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME