52 Chapter Two
and valuable reference, and source of
greater details regarding International and
Inland Rules.
GENERAL RULE OF
RESPONSIBILITY (RULE 2)
You, as skipper, master, owner or crew, are
responsible for complying with the Navigation
Rules. However, since rules may not
cover every possible risk of collision, the
General Rule of Responsibility (Rule 2 (a)
and (b)) exists.
The General Rule of Responsibility
states that you must comply with the
rules, and you must take every precaution
required by the ordinary practice of seamen,
including departing from the rules to
avoid immediate danger.
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Since the Navigation Rules contain specific
language, the commonly used Rules
discussed in this course will be presented
verbatim from the Rules, followed by discussion
to aid in understanding and compliance.
A quick-reference listing of Definitions
is presented in Table 4-1a and a brief overview
of Navigation Inland Rules in Table
4-1b.
RESPONSIBILITIES
BETWEEN VESSELS
Implementation of the Rules requires an
understanding of boating operations which
may be viewed as three situations; meeting,
crossing and overtaking. Defining these
situations, then placing responsibilities
for action in the situations between two
or more boats, allows all mariners to boat
safely, avoiding collision.
As discussed in Rule 16 and 17, vessels
are in one of two action categories:
• GIVE-WAY Vessel which essentially is
required to stay out of the way.
• STAND-ON Vessel which essentially is
to hold course and speed.
We ALL must know and follow the
Rules! This section will present material
from the Navigation Rules, Part B—
STEERING AND SAILING RULES. Lights,
shapes and sounds used in boating operations
to comply with the Rules will be presented
in subsequent sections of this course.
STEERING AND
SAILING RULES
The steering and sailing rules are rules of
navigation that are described for vessels in
three general situations:
• Vessels in any condition of visibility
• Vessels in sight of one another
• Vessels in restricted visibility
Conduct of Vessels in
Any Condition of Visibility
Application (Rule 4)
Rules 4 through 10 apply in any condition
of visibility.
Proper Lookout (Rule 5)
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
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Table 4-2. Vessel Responsibilities (Inland Rules)
Vessel Status Example
Not Under Command No steerage, No power
Restricted in Ability Underwater operations, surveying,
to Maneuver dredging, diving, tugs with barges
Fishing or Trawling Using lines, nets or trawls.
(not trolling)
Sailing Undersail, no power
Power-Driven Propelled by machinery
Sea plane Lowest in order
surveydredging,