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:
- Visibility
- Traffic density
- The maneuverability of your vessel and stopping ability
- Lights at night
- Wind
- Sea state
- Current
- Proximity to known hazards
- Depth
Radar factors to consider:
- The limitations of the radar
- Radar range limitations
- Interference sources
- Invisible or hard-to-detect objects on radar
- The number, location, and direction of detected vessels
- 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…
Read MoreRule 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…
Read MoreRule 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…
Read MoreRule 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…
Read MoreRule 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…
Read MoreRule 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…
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