ODE to the ‘RULE OF THE ROAD” Thomas Grey

WHEN BOTH LIGHTS YOU SEE AHEAD. STARBOARD WHEEL AND SHOW YOUR RED.

WHEN BOTH LIGHTS YOU SEE AHEAD.

STARBOARD WHEEL AND SHOW YOUR RED.

GREEN TO GREEN OR RED TO RED PERFECT SAFETY GO AHEAD

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

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.

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.

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.

They are there to be learned and applied.

Vessels Are Always Required To PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT PASS OTHER VESSELS AT A SAFE DISTANCE. KEEP TO THE STARBOARD SIDE WHEN IN A MARKED CHANNEL

PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED

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.

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 AND

MIGHT IS RIGHT

AND

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. This “Rule” is not in the Act.

NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL OTHER CRAFT WILL KNOW AND OBEY THESE RULES. ALWAYS USE GREAT CAUTION IN A CLOSE QUARTERS SITUATION.

This “Rule” is not in the Act.

Ken’s second Rule IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION VIEW IT OVER THE STERN. Also not in the “Rules”

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION VIEW IT OVER THE STERN.

Also not in the “Rules”

Ken’s third Rule WHEN IN DANGER OR IN DOUBT SAIL IN CIRCLES SCREAM and SHOUT

SAIL IN CIRCLES

SCREAM and

SHOUT

ANY QUESTIONS

THE END