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Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
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Prevention of Collisions at Sea: Wrapping Up the COLREGs
As you can see below, we have now covered all the “Nav Rules”, i.e., the Rules to Prevent Collisions at Sea. As with all Rules, there are amendments or, as they are called with respect to the COLREGs, Annex’s. This column is to summarize these Annex’s and to further lay out what we did, when. Remember, if you want reprints of any or all of the columns on the COLREGs, you can email me at JoinUSCGAux2009@aol.com or go to directly to www.atlanticmaritimeacademy.com/seamanshiparticles.html#colregs.
Annex I
Annex I is about the proper positioning of lights. Again, it only applies to vessels in excess of 20 meters (~66 feet) but what is important to know is that things like the vertical spacing in the positioning of lights (for example, like delineating a fishing vessel (see SSP, “Fishing the Deeps”, 2/27/2008)) are set specifically so you don’t get confused by the bane of all skippers at night – shore lights… The Annex goes on to specify horizontal spacing in the position of lights as well as the specific sizes of the day shapes that commercial vessel use when it isn’t night time (see SSP, “Red over Red – The Captain is Dead!”, 3/12/08).
Annex II
While there are 14 separate sections to Annex I, Annex II reserves itself for additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity – a familiar issue even if we aren’t all commercial fishermen… In keeping with Annex I, it specifies what lights to use when shooting nets, hauling nets or trying to unfoul them from the bottom..!
Annex III
Once you’ve set the technical specs for lights and shapes, there aren’t many things left. One thing for sure is Sound Signal “Appliances”, i.e., your whistle, horn, bell or gong. And, here, the exemption size isn’t 20 meters (~66 feet), it is 12 meters (~39 feet.) That starts to get into “bay-sized” boats. The Annex specifies frequency, intensity and range that it is hearable over. Now, how are you supposed to measure that? You don’t. You install devices that are certified by the manufacturer that it meets or exceeds USCG standards…
Annex IV
Another technical specification is distress signals (see SSP, “Hey You, Over There! Help!”, 1/23/2008.) Rule 36 and Rule 37 tie directly into this Annex. It specifies what distress signals are and what they are not…
Annex V
Here is one where there is very little chance anybody reading this will care about… It is for Pilots – not the kind that fly planes but the kind that guide/assist large vessels into harbors. And this Annex refers only to situations with respect to the Inland Rules… The Forge River isn’t mentioned…!
Well, there you have it. With this column and those listed below for your convenience, you have a solid grounding in “The Rules”, as they have been known to generations upon generations of mariners, even if we update them every so often for new facts, new findings, new disasters or new technology.
COLREGS – Column Dates and Subjects (USCG titles)
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 1 - Application (International / Inland)
Sept 19, 2007 Rule 2 - Responsibility
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 3 - General Definitions
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 4 - Application
July 18, 2007 Rule 5 - Look-Out
Oct 10, 2007 Rule 6 - Safe Speed
July 25, 2007 Rule 7 - Risk of Collision
July 25, 2007 Rule 8 - Action to Avoid Collision
July 25, 2007 Rule 9 - Narrow Channels
Dec 3, 2008 Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes/Vessel Traffic Services
Jan 9, 2007 Rule 11 - Application
Dec 3, 2008 Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels
May 30, 2007 Rule 13 - Overtaking
June 6, 2007 Rule 14 - Head-on Situation
July 11, 2007 Rule 15 - Crossing Situation
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 16 - Action by Give-way Vessel
Jan 16, 2008 Rule 17 - Action by Stand-on Vessel
Aug 8, 2007 Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels
Sept 26, 2007 Rule 19 - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 20 - Application
Feb 7, 2008 Rule 21 - Definitions (Arcs of Visibility Visual)
Feb 13, 2008 Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
Feb 13, 2008 Rule 23 - Power-driven Vessels Underway
Feb 13, 2008 Rule 24 - Towing and Pushing
Feb 20, 2008 Rule 25 - Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars
Feb 27, 2008 Rule 26 - Fishing Vessels
Mar 12, 2008 Rule 27 - Vessels Not Under Command
Mar 26, 2008 Rule 28 - Vessels Constrained by Their Draft
Mar 26, 2008 Rule 29 - Pilot Vessels
Mar 26, 2008 Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
Mar 26, 2008 Rule 31 – Seaplanes
Jan 9, 2008 Rule 32 - Definitions
Jan 31, 2008 Rule 33 - Equipment for Sound Signals
Jan 31, 2008 Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals
Oct 3, 2007 Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility
Jan 23, 2008 Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention
Jan 23, 2008 Rule 37 - Distress Signals
Dec 3, 2008 Rule 38 - Exemptions (International / Inland)
Dec 10, 2008 Annex I - Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes
Dec 10, 2008 Annex II - Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity
Dec 10, 2008 Annex III - Technical Details of Sound Appliances
Dec 10, 2008 Annex IV - Distress Signals
Dec 10, 2008 Annex V - Pilot Signals
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BTW, if you are interested in being part of USCG Forces, email me at JoinUSCGAux@aol.com or go direct to the D1SR Human Resources department, who are in charge of new members matters, at DSO-HR and we will help you “get in this thing…”
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