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IRPCS - Colregs - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Colregs / IRPCS aids to learning

Click here for a chart with all the IRPCS Lights, Shapes and Symbols

On line Colregs Test                                 IRPCS summary on 2 pages

 The full text of IRPCS is here                Good on line teaching here:  www.aztecsailing.co.uk

Basic Rules

1. The rules apply anywhere on the sea or connected to it (subject to local by laws)
2. Keep a good lookout at all times by all means available (sight, sound, radar)
3. Maintain a safe speed appropriate to the conditions:
    (i)  visibility;
    (ii) traffic density 
    (iii) manoeuvrability of the vessel with reference to stopping distance and turning ability
    (iv) at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights
    (v) the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    (vi) the draught in relation to the available depth of water
4. The words 'Right of Way' do not occur in the IRPCS.  A 'stand on' vessel should maintain its course and speed until it is apparent that the 'give way' vessel is not taking sufficient avoiding action.  Then all vessels are obliged to keep clear.
5. Action taken to avoid collision shall  be positive, made in ample time and safe.  Do not make a succession of small changes in course or speed.
6. Special rules apply in fog (IRPCS Rule 19).  No vessel has stand on rights.

   If you hear a vessel ahead in fog, slow down but maintain steerage way, stop if necessary, and navigate with caution till the danger of collision is past.

    

Lights and Shapes                      Return to Home Page

Click here for some photo examples : Shapes pictures

Note that these are the 'perfect' images.  You are likely to see many more white lights on vessels, particularly fishing, cruise ships, ferries and cargo vessels.  These white 'working' lights can be much brighter than the recognition lights.  They will dominate the view until you are much closer.

Shapes also may be small or difficult to discern (see pictures link above).

MCA Orals - Underway or What - I have just found this site, which is a set of questions asked in the MCA Merchant Seamans' exams. It's more suitable for Yachtmasters, but there is good information there for everyone - particularly it gives an outlook from professional mariners.
Underway or what   Rules of the Road   Also look at  Light Recognition and the 'Situations' and 'Alterations' tabs.

Collision avoidance colregs rules of the road

2nd February 2010