Back to Boating Safety main page
Avoiding a Boat Collision They occur at day and night and often at high speed. But boating collisions still occur - indecision, lack of knowledge, lack of concentration and even ego playing contributing factors. But they prove time and time again to be just as fatal (if not, more so) than motor vehicle accidents on Australian roads.
Preventing collisions at sea....ODE to the 'RULE OF THE ROAD' by Thomas Grey
WHEN BOTH LIGHTS YOU SEE AHEAD...STARBOARD WHEEL AND SHOW YOUR RED.
GREEN TO GREEN OR RED TO RED...PERFECT SAFETY GO AHEAD
IF TO STARBOARD RED APPEAR...IT IS YOUR DUTY TO KEEP CLEAR;
ACT AS JUDGEMENT SAYS IS PROPER...GO TO STARBOARD - BACK OR STOP HER.
BUT WHEN UPON YOUR PORT IS SEEN...A STEAMER'S LIGHT OF GREEN;
THERE'S NOT MUCH FOR YOU TO DO..FOR GREEN TO PORT KEEPS CLEAR OF YOU.
BOTH IN SAFETY AND IN DOUBT...ALWAYS KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT:
IN DANGER WITH NO ROOM TO TURN...EASE HER - STOP HER - GO ASTERN.
In Summary, Masters Of Small Vessels Should Bear In Mind The Following Points.
Colregs Are Essentially Simple And Easily Understood. They are there to be learned and applied.
Vessels Are Always Required To:
PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED KEEP TO THE STARBOARD SIDE WHEN IN A MARKED CHANNEL
KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT
PASS OTHER VESSELS AT A SAFE DISTANCE.
KEEP TO THE STARBOARD SIDE WHEN IN A MARKED CHANNEL
Large vessels are simply unable to avoid small craft in every single circumstance, even if theoretically, the small craft can claim right of way. In confined waters, small craft are required to keep clear of ships underway in channels and fairways. At sea, the risk of collision with an approaching vessel should be assessed by using a hand bearing compass to keep track of bearing changes during the closing phase. If risk of collision exists, small craft should either move well clear long before a close quarters situation arises or comply with COLREG signals and lights and make their intentions clear to the approaching vessel.
Efficient navigation lights and radar reflectors are of critical importance to small craft operating on or near shipping routes. IF THE COMPASS BEARING OF A SHIP APPROACHING TO CLOSE RANGE REMAINS UNCHANGED, A SMALL CRAFT SHOULD USE:-
*** APPROPRIATE LIGHTS
*** SIGNALS
*** FLARES or
*** MARINE RADIO (VHF CH 16)
*** AS APPROPRIATE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.
Finally, when in the vicinity of a large ship always remember - Might is Right! (i.e. the larger vessel always has right of way.) Let common sense prevail. Ken's first Rule: NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL OTHER CRAFT WILL KNOW AND OBEY THESE RULES. ALWAYS USE GREAT CAUTION IN A CLOSE QUARTERS SITUATION.
Ken's second Rule: IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION VIEW IT OVER THE STERN.
Ken's third Rule: WHEN IN DANGER OR IN DOUBT...SAIL IN CIRCLES, SCREAM and SHOUT
Back to Boat Safety
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
