[seadog] Dangers of Conflicting Actions in Collision Avoidance
- From: "Tom Blanchard" <tomblanchard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "SEADOG" <seadog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 13:44:57 -0500
The IMO issued Safety of Navigation Circular 226 entitled Dangers of
Conflicting Actions in Collision Avoidance. It notes that Rule 8(a) of the
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea have been amended
to reduce the likelihood that persons will apply rule 8 in isolation of the
other Steering and Sailing Rules. The amendment comes into force on November
29, 2003.
FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE, THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE IMO CIRCULAR 226
AND A COPY PASTE OF EXISTING RULE #8. In the meantime, its probably still a
good idea to go right... Be Safe, Tom
Circ.226
16 December 2002
DANGERS OF CONFLICTING ACTIONS IN COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 The Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, at its forty-sixth session (10
to 14 July 2000),noted reports of the relatively high frequency of
conflicting actions resulting in collisions, especially in meeting and fine
crossing situations. Reports of collision cases indicated that, at times,
in head-on or near head-on encounters rule 8(d) was applied in isolation of
the other Steering and Sailing
Rules, resulting in conflicting actions and collisions. It was reported
that in some such cases, one vessel took avoiding action by turning to port
and the other by turning to starboard.
2 At the twenty-second session of the Assembly (19 to 30 November
2001), certain amendments were adopted to the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972. To avoid the application of rule 8 in
isolation of the other Steering and Sailing Rules, rule 8(a) was amended to
read as follows:
".Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the rules
of this Part and, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made
in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.. "
3 The amendment will come into force on 29 November 2003.
4 The Maritime Safety Committee at its seventy-sixth session (2 to
13 December 2002) subsequently endorsed the aforementioned actions of the
NAV Sub-Committee and approved this circular.
5 Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the
attention of shipmasters, navigating officers and nautical training
establishments.
"?INTERNATIONAL?
Steering and Sailing Rules
RULE 8
Action to Avoid Collision
(a) Any action taken to avoid collision 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 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.
(e) If necessary to avoid collision or 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) (i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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."
The IMO web site is http://www.imo.org/index.htm.
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