The Basics of the Sea Rules of the Road in Navigation

Marine Navigation: The Rules of the Road
The first article will explain basic concepts and definitions. Subsequent ones will go in some detail in the nitty gritty and explanation of the Rules.

The Basics of the Sea Rules of the Road in Navigation
Basics of the Sea: Rules of the Road - In any Condition of Visibility.
Basics of the Navigation Rules: When ships can see each other, and when they can't
Basics of Sea Collision Regulations: Lights, Shapes, and Sound Signals


The Basics of the Sea Rules of the Road in Navigation

There are no roads at sea, so how does one ship (or vessels, which means all watercraft regardless of size) behave when it comes across another? Their behaviour is governed by the Rules of the Road, or Navigation Rules -ROR. These also cover lights and shapes a vessel must show by night/day

Introduction

Even if you have never been on a ship, I'm sure you know the meaning of the rules of the road. After all this is a very elementary term and does not require any specialised knowledge to know the same. Needless to say rules of the road refer to those laws and regulations which are necessary to maintain traffic discipline and ensure safety of life and vehicles on the road.

Talking in context of ships which sail in vast oceans and seas where there are no concrete roads, you might be a bit surprised to know that the rules of the road have to be followed by the marine vessels as well. In this case these rules is known as sea rules of the road or navigation rules of the road. Just see what happens when these rules are not followed in the adjacent images.

Why ROR is Necessary

The purpose of these sea rules of the road is the same as that on land, namely to maintain discipline of marine traffic and ensure safety of life. We are all aware of the basic rules of the road on land such as keeping your vehicle on a particular side of the road, ways to overtake other vehicles and so forth; but do you know what is the equivalent of these rules see? If not, just find out below.

Sea Rules of the Road

The navigation rules of the road are defined by the International Maritime Organisation in what is known as COLREGS or the International Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea 1972. In total there are thirty eight rules which are given in five parts A, B, C, D, and E which refer to the rules relating to General, Steering and Sailing, Light & Shapes, Sound and Light Signals and Exemptions respectively.

Apart from these five categories, there are four Annexes from Annex I to Annex IV which define the technical requirements. If you think that these rules are only applicable to large ships or yatchts and have nothing to do with small boats or naval vessels, then you are certainly wrong. These rules are applicable from the tiniest boat to the largest ships sailing across the oceans.

A thorough knowledge of the Rules of the Road is essential for practical navigation as well as for passing the various exams and certifications relating to navigation since they are applicable to all types of ships. Rules are rules, and hence even for marine vessels remaining in inland waters, these rules are made by local authorities but they must be in confirmation by the outline laid out by the IMO ROR and cannot differ totally from them. Similarly there could be a slight variation of these rules while applying them to specific ship types and shapes such as for example say naval aircraft carrier ships, dredgers, minesweepers and so forth.