SCO 02

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# Steering and Sailing Rules

## Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility

DEFINITIONS:

underway
  The vessel is not at anchor or has not run aground
length
  The vessels overall length
breadth
  The vessels greatest breadth
restricted visibility
  Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, snow, rain, or sandstorms
inland waters
  The navigable waters of the U.S. shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the U.S. and the waters of the Great Lakes on the U.S. side of the International Boundary
inland rules or rules
  The Inland Navigational Rules which govern the conduct of vessels and specify the lights, shapes, and sound signals that apply to inland waters according to the above listed U.S. Coast Guard instruction
international regulations
  International regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 currently in force for the U.S.

Look-out: Every vessel shall, at all times, maintain a proper look-out by sight and heading as well as additional look-outs should the weather and/or visibility decline

Safe Speed: All vessels shall proceed at a safe speed in order to avoid collisions and be stopped within an appropriate distance. The following factors shall be taken into account when determining a safe speed:

By all vessels:

1) Visibility
2) Traffic on the waterway.
3) Current maneuverability of the vessel (paying special attention to stopping distance and turning)
4) Presence of background light (i.e. shore lights, back scatter of her own lights)
5) The state of the sea, wind, currents, and navigational hazards
6) Depth of the water in relation to her own draft

Additionally, by vessels with operational radar

1) Characteristics, efficiency, and limitations of the radar system
2) Any constraints of the radar's range scale
3) Effects of radar detection of sea state, weather, and any other interference's
4) Be aware that small vessels, ice, and other floating objects may not be detected by radar
5) The number, location, and movement of vessels detected by radar; as well as look-outs
6) Radar may be more accurate at determining the range of a vessel or other objects

Risk of Collision

a) Every vessel shall use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists. If in doubt rule the situation as being a risk of collision.
b) Radar equipment shall be used properly, which includes long-range scanning to obtain an early warning and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.
c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty radar information.
d) Consider the following when determining the risk of collision:

1) Risk of collision shall be assumed if compass heading of an approaching vessel does not change
2) Risk of collision may exist even if there is change, particularly when approaching a large vessel, a tow, or a vessel at close range.

Action to Avoid Collision

a) Any action shall be taken to avoid collision shall be executed with ample time and with regard to good seamanship
b) Any change in course or speed to avoid a collision shall be made such that the other vessel can observe the change visually or by radar
c) Alteration of course my be sufficient enough to avoid collision if there is enough sea room, and does not cause a close-quarters situation with any other vessel
d) Action shall be taken which will result in passing at a safe distance, and the effectiveness shall be checked until the other vessel is past and clear
e) Reduction of speed, take way off, or reversing propulsion may be necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess risk
f)

1) A vessel which, by any of these rules, is required not to impede the 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
2) A vessel required not to impede the 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
3) 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

Narrow Channels

a)

1) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safely possible
2) A power driven vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding down-bound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an up-bound vessel

b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway
c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway
d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within that channel or fairway. The latter vessel shall use the danger signal (taught in a later lesson) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel
e)

1) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal (taught in a later lesson) and take steps to permit safe passing. The overtaken vessel, if in agreement, shall sound the same signal. If in doubt, she shall sound the danger signal (taught in later lesson)
2) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation of the rule titled overtaking

f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal.
g) Every vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel

Traffic Separation Schemes

a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other Rule.
b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:

1) Proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane
2) So far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone
3) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable

c) A vessel shall avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.
d)

1) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20 meters in length, sailing vessels, and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone.
2) However, a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station, or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

e) A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except:

1) in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger; or
2) to engage in fishing within a separation zone

f) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.
g) A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.
h) A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.
i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.
j) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.
k) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
l) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing, or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.