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Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels

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Overview

Rule 18 defines the responsibilities between different types of vessels.

This rule creates a hierarchy between vessels, with vessels of different types (as defined in Rule 3) being directed to take different action in certain circumstances.

Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:

  1. A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

    1. a vessel not under command;
    2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
    3. a vessel engaged in fishing;
    4. a sailing vessel.
  2. A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

    1. a vessel not under command;
    2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
    3. a vessel engaged in fishing.
  3. A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

    1. a vessel not under command;
    2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
    1. Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.
    2. A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.
  4. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.
    1. A WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation;
    2. A WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Part as a power-driven vessel.
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs)

About This Work

This video was originally created for the YouTube channel Casual Navigation before later being republished under Refresh Maritime, where it has since been viewed over 70,000 times.

We regularly receive feedback that the COLREGs in Depth series is still used by cadets and nautical colleges around the world.

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