When restricted visibility is encountered or expected, the first responsibility of the officer of the watch is to comply with the relevant rules of the applicable regulations for preventing collisions at sea, with particular regard to the sounding of fog signals, proceeding at a safe speed and having the engines ready for immediate manœuvres. From: A Guide to the Collision Avoidance Rules (Seventh Edition), 2012 (a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sightVessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from the other. of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibilityThe term 'restricted visibility' means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes. . (b) Every vesselThe word 'vessel includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water'. shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditionsThis phrase is used in Rules 5,6,7 & 19. It indicates to the reader that the rule must be considered within the context that it is being applied. Although this type of 'catch-all phrase' makes the rules challenging to interpret it allows mariners to respond to the variety of events that can occur at sea. of restricted visibility. A power-driven vesselThe term 'power-driven vessel' means any vessel propelled by machinery. shall have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre. (c) Every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the Rules of Section I of this Part. (d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collisionThe term risk of collision is described in Rule 7. 'Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.' exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided: (i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken; (ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam. (e) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.
Rule 19 Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility, explained The Rules applying in restricted visibility include: Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules • Section 3 – Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility § Rule 19 – Conduct Of Vessels in Restricted Visibility • Section 1 – Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility § Rule 4 – Application § Rule 5 – Look Out § Rule 6 – Safe Speed § Rule 7 – Risk of Collision § Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision § Rule 9 – Narrow Channels § Rule 10 – Traffic Separation Schemes • Remember that if you can see the other vessel then Rule 19 does NOT apply • Rue 19 applies in, or near an area of restricted visibility Rule 19 Proceed at a Safe Speed Rule 19 Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. (b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre. In restricted visibility; • You must proceed at a safe speed, • Rule 6 details what a safe speed is, • Always have your engines ready for immediate manoeuvre, so that all options to avoid collision are available. Rule 19 Avoid Collisions and Close Quarters Situations Order to apply Rules to • Rule 7 – Risk of Collision • Rule 19 (b) – Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility • Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision • Rule 19 (e) – Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility Rule 7 • Make systematic observations of targets to asses risk of collision and build up situational awareness. Rule 7 Risk Of Collision • Take time to assess every situation properly • It requires several minutes of systematic observation to produce useful information from a radar or ARPA set. Rule 7 Determine risk of collision from a systematic plotting of targets: • Observing the compass bearing of a target is one means of determining if risk of collision exists. • In restricted visibility the only way to observe the compass bearing of a target is to use a compass stabilised radar. • Risk of collision exists if the compass bearing does not appreciably change • An electronic bearing line (EBL) fixed to own ship is a convenient way of observing changes to the compass bearing of a target. • Even if the compass bearing does not appreciably change, risk of collision may still exist when approaching large targets or when approaching targets at close range Determine risk of collision from a systematic plotting of targets: • Relative motion trails on a radar provide a reliable indication of collision risk • On an ARPA display, risk of collision with a tracked target exists if the relative vector of the target points at own ship’s position on the display screen. • CPA and TCPA alarms can be set to provide warning of collision risk or of a close quarter situation with tracked targets. Rule 19 Determine if; • Risk of collision exists: § A close quarters situation is developing, with each vessel detected by radar. § If risk of collision or a close quarters situation is developing then take avoiding action. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STAND ON VESSEL IN RESTRICTED VISIBILTY • If the target posing the risk of collision or a close quarters situation is forward of your beam: § Try to avoid altering course to port for that vessel, unless you are overtaking it. • If the target posing the risk of collision or a close quarters situation is abeam or abaft of your beam: • Try to avoid altering course towards that vessel. Rule 8 • Observe good seamanship Rule 8 • Do not make a series of small alterations of course and/or speed. Rule 8 • It is important to continue monitor the effectiveness of the action taken until the other vessel is past and clear. Rule 8 • A power driven vessel should have the engine/propulsion ready for immediate manoeuvre. Rule 8 (f) Vessels required not to impede the safe passage of other vessels. • The Collision Regulations require certain vessels not to impede the safe passage of other vessels. • In restricted visibility, both vessels are required to take action to avoid collision. Rule 19 • Have your engine ready for immediate manoeuvre. |