Rule 6 – Safe Speed

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Factors to consider:

  1. Visibility
  2. Traffic density
  3. The maneuverability of your vessel and stopping ability
  4. Lights at night
  5. Wind
  6. Sea state
  7. Current
  8. Proximity to known hazards
  9. Depth

Radar factors to consider:

  1. The limitations of the radar
  2. Radar range limitations
  3. Interference sources
  4. Invisible or hard-to-detect objects on radar
  5. The number, location, and direction of detected vessels
  6. The enhanced detection range

The Other COLREGS

Rule 1 – General Application

Summary of rule: COLREGS apply to all vessels of inland waters of the United States and Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent…

Rule 2 – Responsibility

Summary of rule: Nothing will justify escape from the consequences of ignoring these rules. Proper seamanship and danger awareness are to be had at all…

Rule 3 – General Definitions

There are 7 major vessel definitions: Vessel = anything that can transport over the water and includes non-displacement craft and seaplanes. Power-driven vessel = anything…

Rule 5 – Look-out Rule

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing…

Rule 7 – Risk of Collision

Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if the risk of collision exists. If there is…

Rule 8 – Action To Avoid Collision

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…