The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1989

2. Introductory Text

1. Citation, commencement, interpretation, revocation and modification

3. 1. replaces Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 17 of 1979 or...

4. 2. replaces any subsequent Notice to Mariners containing the like material;...

5. 2. Application

6. 3. Signals of Distress

7. 4. Collision Regulations

8. 5. Penalties

9. 6. Power to detain

10. Signature

11. 1. THE SCHEDULE

       INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

       1. PART A. GENERAL

          1. Rule 1

             Application

             1. (a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the...

          2. Rule 2

             Responsibility

             1. (a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or...

          3. Rule 3

             General definitions

             1. For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context...

       2. PART B. STEERING AND SAILING RULES

          1. Section I. Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility

             1. Rule 4

                Application

                1. Rules in this Section apply in any condition of visibility....

             2. Rule 5

                Look-out

                1. Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out...

             3. Rule 6

                Safe speed

                1. Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe...

                2. In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be...

             4. Rule 7

                Risk of collision

                1. (a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to...

             5. Rule 8

                Action to avoid collision

                1. (a) Any action tasken to avoid collision shall, if the...

             6. Rule 9

                Narrow channels

                1. (a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow...

             7. Rule 10

                Traffic Separation Schemes

                1. (a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by...

          2. Section II. Conduct of vessels in sight of one another

             1. Rule 11

                Application

                1. Rules in this Section apply to vessels in sight of...

             2. Rule 12

                Sailing vessels

                1. (a) When two sailing ships are approaching one another, so...

             3. Rule 13

                Overtaking

                1. (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B,...

             4. Rule 14

                Head-on Situation

                1. (a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or...

             5. Rule 15

                Crossing situation

                1. When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve...

             6. Rule 16

                Action by give-way vessel

                1. Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the...

             7. Rule 17

                Action by stand-on vessel

                1. (a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep...

             8. Rule 18

                Responsibilities between vessels

                1. Except where Rules, 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:

          3. Section III. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

             1. Rule 19

                Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

                1. (a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of...

       3. PART C. LIGHTS AND SHAPES

          1. Rule 20

             Application

             1. (a) Rules in this Part shall be complied with in...

          2. Rule 21

             Definitions

             1. (a) “Masthead light” means a white light placed over the...

          3. Rule 22

             Visibility of lights

             1. The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity...

          4. Rule 23

             Power-driven vessels underway

             1. (a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

          5. Rule 24

             Towing and pushing

             1. (a) A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

          6. Rule 25

             Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars

             1. (a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:

          7. Rule 26

             Fishing vessels

             1. (a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at...

          8. Rule 27

             Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

             1. (a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit:

          9. Rule 28

             Vessels constrained by their draught

             1. A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to...

          10. Rule 29

              Pilot vessels

              1. (a) A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit:

          11. Rule 30

              Anchored vessels and vessels aground

              1. (a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can...

          12. Rule 31

              Seaplanes

              1. Where it is impracticable for a seaplane to exhibit lights...

       4. PART D. SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS

          1. Rule 32

             Definitions

             1. (a) The words “whistle” means any sound signalling appliance capable...

          2. Rule 33

             Equipment for sound signals

             1. (a) A vessel of 12 metres or more in length...

          3. Rule 34

             Manoeuvring and warning signals

             1. (a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a...

          4. Rule 35

             Sound signals in restricted visibility

             1. In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by...

          5. Rule 36

             Signals to attract attention

             1. If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any...

          6. Rule 37

             Distress signals

             1. When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she...

       5. PART E. EXEMPTIONS

          1. Rule 38

             Exemptions

             1. Any vessel (or class of vessels) provided that she complies...

       6. ANNEX I Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes

          1. 1. Definition

          2. 2. Vertical positioning and spacing of lights

          3. 3. Horizontal positioning and spacing of lights

          4. 4. Details of location of direction-indicating lights for fishing vessels, dredgers and vessels engaged in underwater operations.

          5. 5. Screens for sidelights

          6. 6. Shapes

          7. 7. Colour specification of lights

          8. 8. Intensity of lights

          9. Note:

          10. 9. Horizontal sectors

          11. 10. Vertical sectors

          12. 11. Intensity of non-electric lights

          13. 12. Manoeuvring light

          14. 13. Approval

       7. ANNEX II Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity

          1. 1. General

          2. 2. Signals for trawlers

          3. 3. Signals for purse seiners

       8. ANNEX III Technical details of sound signal appliances

          1. 1. Whistles

          2. 2. Bell or gong

          3. 3. Approval

       9. ANNEX IV Distress signals

          1. 1. The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately,...

          2. 2. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals...

          3. 3. Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International...

12. Explanatory Note