Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 - Consolidated Edition, 2018

General Overview

• Aimed at preventing collisions at sea.
• Covers rules for various types of vessels and conditions.

Article Highlights

Article I - General Obligations

• Parties to the Convention must adhere to the rules and annexes.

Article II - Signature and Ratification

• Open for signature until June 1973; thereafter open for accession.
• Methods for becoming a Party: direct signature, signature subject to ratification, or accession.

Article III - Territorial Application

• UN or responsible parties can extend the Convention's application to territories.

Article IV - Entry into Force

• Comes into force after conditions are met, not before January 1976.

Article V & VI - Amendments and Revisions

• Amendments require two-thirds majority; come into force on agreed dates unless objected by one-third of Parties.

Article VII - Denunciation

• Convention can be denounced after five years with a one-year notice period.

Rules Overview

Part A - General

Rule 1 - Application

• Applies to all vessels on the high seas.
• Special rules for certain areas and types of vessels.

Rule 2 - Responsibility

• Vessels must comply with rules and consider ordinary practices of seamen.

Rule 3 - Definitions

• Clarifies terms like vessel, power-driven vessel, sailing vessel, etc.

Part B - Steering and Sailing Rules

Section I - Conduct in Any Visibility

Rule 4-7

• Vessels must maintain lookouts, proceed at safe speeds, and assess collision risks.

Section II - Conduct in Sight of One Another

Rule 11-18

• Rules for sailing vessels, overtaking, head-on situations, crossing situations, and responsibilities between vessels.

Section III - Conduct in Restricted Visibility

Rule 19

• Vessels must proceed at safe speed and use radar to avoid collisions in restricted visibility.

Part C - Lights and Shapes

Rule 20-31

• Regulations for the display of lights and shapes for different vessels and conditions.

Part D - Sound and Light Signals

Rule 32-37

• Definition and use of sound and light signals to prevent collisions and communicate intentions.

Part E - Exemptions

Rule 38

• Exemptions for vessels compliant with 1960 regulations.

Part F - Verification of Compliance

Rule 39-41

• Establishes audit schemes for compliance and verification.

Annexes

Annex I

• Details on positioning and technical details of lights and shapes.

Annex II

• Additional signals for fishing vessels.

Annex III

• Technical details of sound signal appliances.

Annex IV

• Distress signals and their proper use to indicate need for assistance.

IMO Recommendation on Navigational Watchkeeping

• Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe navigational watch.
• Responsibilities for officers and crew to avoid collisions and ensure maritime safety.

Summary

• The convention sets comprehensive rules for vessel conduct to prevent collisions, emphasizing navigation, signaling, and lookouts. It outlines the responsibilities for various situations and vessel types and includes provisions for amendments and compliance verification.