RULE 5 of the COLREGS

1. Rule 5 - Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out
by sight and hearing as well as by all available means
appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and
conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation
and of the risk of collision.
© www.ibabuzz.com
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2. Rule 5 - Look-out
Key words
• Every vessel
• At all times
By day, at night, restricted visibility, etc.
• Proper look-out
By sight, hearing, all available means
• Full appraisal
Of situation, of risk of collision
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3. Rule 5 - Look-out
Every Vessel
Large vessels, small vessels, power driven
vessels, sailing vessels, vessels NUC,
vessels restricted in their ability to
maneuver, deep draught vessels, pilot
vessels, vessels at anchor, vessels
aground, etc.
© www.biship.com
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4. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all times
• By day, at night, in restricted visibility (ice,
smoke, storm, etc.
• Never leave the bridge unless properly
relieved
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5. Rule 5 - Look-out
By Day
At all Times
The OOW may be the only person on the bridge
provided he can call for immediate assistance
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6. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times
At Night
At night the OOW should be assisted by at least one look-
out man
When on automatic pilot, the course must be regularly
checked
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7. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times
In Restricted visibility
In restricted visibility one or two look-out man should be
posted where deemed necessary and a helmsman should
steer the vessel
© captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com
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8. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times …
Also means:
In open seas (when apparently no other vessels or hazards
are observed), in congested waters, rivers, canals, near
harbours, …., when at anchor, NUC, dredging, fishing, …., in
heavy weather, etc.
© confluence.org
In all these circumstances the watch should be adequately
increased 8

9. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times
Never leave the bridge unattended unless properly relieved
© www2.bryceharrington.org
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10. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times
Do not undertake administrative work (or similar) in the
chartroom. Perform only navigational work
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11. Rule 5 - Look-out
At all Times
Do not get distracted
© www.springhavenshops.com
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12. Rule 5 - Look-out
Proper look-out
– By sight
– By hearing
– By all available means appropriate
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13. Rule 5 - Look-out
Proper look-out
© gcaptain.com
By Sight - Vision
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14. Rule 5 - Look-out
Proper look-out
By Sight - Binoculars
©www.opticsplanet.net
The OOW must instruct the look-out man on what he should
report. Examples: any light, vessels, floating objects, sound
signals in restricted visibility or near manoeuvring vessels,
etc. 14

15. Rule 5 - Look-out
Proper look-out
By Hearing
Whistle
Bell
© www.cs.virginia.edu
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16. Rule 5 - Look-out
Proper look-out
Fatigue
Do not fall asleep on the
bridge
Most accidents at sea
are caused by bad look-
out or fatigue
© www.sjofartsdir.no 16

17. Rule 5 - Look-out
Relieving the watch
When relieving the watch the OOW and the look-out man
should assure themselves that their relieve is well
acquainted with the situation
Many accidents happened because the watch has been
unsatisfactorily or too hastily relieved
© leadershiptrainingskills.com
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18. Rule 5 - Look-out
Where to post the look-out men
It entirely depends on the circumstances and situation at the time
He should preferably be posted outdoors
In restricted visibility and if safe, he should be posted on the forecastle
head
© friendships.org
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19. Rule 5 - Look-out
Duties of the look-out man
− Report any light
− Report any vessel
− Report any floating object
− Report any sound signal (especially in restricted
visibility)
− If necessary, use binoculars
©www.ship-paintings.com
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20. Rule 5 - Look-out
By all available means appropriate
Radar,
AIS
Radar and sight
Radar and hearing
VHF
……
©www.nepia.com
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21. Rule 5 - Look-out
All available means appropriate
Use of radar
• In clear visibility
• In restricted visibility
• In operation or on standby
• In congested waters
• A proper lookout is still compulsory
• Must be properly adjusted
• Careful choice of scale range
• Good choice of mode display
© www.austin-insulators.com 21

22. Rule 5 - Look-out
Use of AIS
© www.waypoints.com
There is no provision in the
Collision Regulations for the
use of AIS information.
Therefore, decisions should
be taken based primarily on
visual and/or radar
information
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23. Rule 5 - Look-out
© www.fugawi.com
AIS Data
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24. Rule 5 - Look-out
Use of VHF
VHF as a means of collision
avoidance should be used with
uppermost caution.
Although the use of VHF radio
may be justified on occasion as a
collision avoidance aid, the
provisions of the Collision
Regulations should remain
uppermost
© www.fredsplace.org 24

25. Rule 5 - Look-out
Follow all instructions given by STCW and other official bodies
(ICS Bridge Procedures Guide, Maritime and Coastguard
Agency, etc.)
© www.marineworksltd.com
© www.marisec.org
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26. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Fitness for duty
The watch may not be impaired by fatigue
Watch keepers must be sufficiently rested prior to taking over the
watch
A safe navigational watch must be maintained at all times by
appropriately qualified and rested personnel in all foreseeable
circumstances
If regulations cannot be met, the vessel should be brought to or
should remain in a safe place (e.g. at anchor or in a harbour)
DO NOT FALL ASLEEP DURING YOUR WATCH
© gotosee.co.uk
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27. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Fitness for duty
Be at all time free from alcohol, drugs or any prescription drugs that may
impair your judgment
Stay alert at all time by moving around and ventilating the bridge
Do not forget that the risk of falling asleep is much greater when you
are on watch in a hot and closed-up bridge, especially in the winter
© thebatt.com
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28. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Risk of Collision
• Observe all vessels
• Keep an eye on own ship
− Verify nautical instruments
− Check the course (especially with auto pilot)
• Be particularly vigilant when:
− Meeting a vessel end on
− Overtaking another vessel
© bowsprite.wordpress.com
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29. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
LOOK AHEAD
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30. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Look on the
starboard side
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31. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Look on the
port side
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32. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Look behind
the vessel
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33. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
In case of doubt call the master
The Master must be on the bridge in all special
circumstance :
− Restricted visibility
− Bad weather
− Heavy traffic
− Entering or leaving a harbour
− Etc.
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34. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Maintain a proper look-out even when the pilot is on board

35. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
If necessary, use a qualified helmsman
The helmsman should not perform the duties
of the look-out man
© zandrea.taylorfamilyconnect.com
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36. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Do not get distracted on the
bridge by
• Domestic radio’s
• Recorders (CD, MP3, …)
• Personal computers
• TV
• Mobile phones
• Visits
• Etc.
© media.nieuwslog.nl 36

37. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Check your position regularly
Look for hazards on the chart (buoys, rocks, shallow, etc.)
which may form an impediment if a sudden action is
necessary to avoid a collision
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38. Rule 5 - Look-out
Full appraisal of the situation
Performing the navigational watch
Never trust and/or rely on the action or reaction of
another vessel
According to his experience, every OOW has his
own understanding of :
• Risk of collision
• Limitations of own vessel or vessel (s) sighted
• The development of a close quarters situation
• Etc. © en.wilkipedia.org
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39. Rule 5 - Look-out
Duties of the officer of the watch
– Observe all vessels
– Ascertain the risk of collision
– Keep an eye on your own ship
Verify nautical instruments
Check the course (especially with auto pilot)
– Be particularly vigilant when:
Meeting a vessel end on
Overtaking another vessel
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40. Rule 5 - Look-out
Duties of the officer of the watch
– Continue to be responsible despite:
The presence of the Master (unless he takes over)
The presence of a pilot
– If in doubt of pilot’s actions, seek clarification
– If still in doubt, notify Master and take
whatever action until Master arrives
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41. Rule 5 - Look-out
– Be able to switch to hand steering at all times
– Use the radar whenever necessary
– Check vessel’s position, course and speed
regularly
– Take fixes at regular intervals
– Use appropriate and corrected charts
Duties of the officer of the watch
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42. Rule 5 - Look-out
Vessel at anchor
• Determine and plot vessel’s position
• Check if vessel is remaining at anchor
• Have a proper look-out
• Make inspection rounds periodically
• Observe:
− Meteorological conditions
− Tidal conditions
− State of sea
• Notify Master and take measures if anchor drags
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43. Rule 5 - Look-out
Vessel at anchor
Ensure that main engines and
other machinery are always ready
Ensure that proper lights are
exhibited
Ensure that proper shapes are
exhibited
Ensure that proper sound signals
are made
Avoid placing reliance on guard
zones when using radar in lieu of a
look-out
©www.prestonservices.co.uk 43