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Rule 38 - Exemptions

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Overview

Rule 38 forms Part E of the COLREGs, and describes exemptions.

The rule provides transitional exemptions for vessels that were already in existence or under construction when the COLREGs entered into force.

Rule 38 - Exemptions

Any vessel (or class of vessels) provided that she complies with the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1960, the keel of which is laid or which is at a corresponding stage of construction before the entry into force of these Regulations may be exempted from compliance therewith as follows:

  1. The installation of lights with ranges prescribed in Rule 22, until 4 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  2. The installation of lights with colour specifications as prescribed in Section 7 of Annex I to these Regulations, until 4 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  3. The repositioning of lights as a result of conversion from Imperial to metric units and rounding off measurement figures, permanent exemption.
    1. The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of less than 150 metres in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3(a) of Annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption.
    2. The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of 150 metres or more in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3(a) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  4. The repositioning of masthead lights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  5. The repositioning of sidelights resulting from the prescriptions of Sections 2(g) and 3(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  6. The requirements for sound signal appliances prescribed in Annex III to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
  7. The repositioning of all-round lights resulting from the prescription of Section 9(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption.
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs)

About This Work

No visual explanation of this rule was produced within the original series, but the text is included here for completeness within the COLREGs in Depth collection.

A dedicated visual explanation can be produced for this rule upon request.

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