When you read the collision regulations then it is important to create your own summary on them. This is our summary, and represents the main points that we thought were important.

Part A - General

1. The collision regulations are the basic rules. Others, like harbour authorities or governments can add to or change the rules.
2. There is No Right of Way
3. Under the rules, a sailing vessel only applies to a yacht when it is sailing

4. The rules apply in any colition of visibility
5. You need a proper lookout
6. You should proceed at a safe speed
7. You should take all precautions to avoid a collision
8. If you think you are going to collide, make large movements in plenty of time.
9. In narrow channels remember that larger vessels are less manoueverable. Also if you plan to overtake another vessel sound the appropriate signal.
10. Yachts under 20m should use inshore traffic zones where possible. Otherwise keep to the correct lane in a traffic seperation scheme or cross the zone at 90°
11. The following rules apply to all vessels
12. When two sailing vessels approach each other, the vessel that has the greatest manoeuverability should get out of the way
13. Behind the yacht is classed as the overtaking zone
14. When two power vessels approach each other both are responsible for avoiding collision and they should go to starboard, where possible.
15. When two power vessels are crossing each other the one that has the other on the starboard side should give way
16. If you are the give way vessel make early and substantial action to avoid collisiion
17. If you are the stand on vessel keep a steady course, unless you need to take action to avoid collision
18. In general the most manoeuverable vessel should give way to the least manoeverable vessel
19. In restricted visibility, proceed at a safe speed and use all means possible to avoid collision

Part C - Lights and Signals

20. Use lights at night and in poor visibility, use shapes by day
21. The lights on your vessel, such as Mast headlight, Sidelights, Sternlight, Towing light, All round light and Flashing Light have specific meanings.
22. The distance that your lights should be seen, depends on the size of your vessel
23. The lights of a power driven vessell
24. The lights required for towing and pushing
25. The lights for sailing vessels and rowing boats
26. The lights for fishing vessels
27. The lights of vessels not under command
28. The lights for vessels constrained by draught
29. The lights for pilot vessels
30. Anchored vessels and vessels aground
31. Seaplanes

Sound and light signals

32. A short blast on a wistle is for 1 second while a long blast is for four to six seconds
33. If you are under 12m, then you need to be able to make the blasts in whatever way you see fit but over 12m then you need the correct sound, whistle, bell or gong
34. When making a manouver then indicate your intension with the correct sound signal
35. In restricted visilility use sound to indicate position and movement
36. If you need to attract attention, use sound singnals that have no other meaning
37. When in distress, you can use any of the signals explained in Annex IV

Annex II

Some fishing vessels work in groups, or may have nets between the two vessels, when this happens additional lights may be shown. The most important phase is may be, so althogh it is great that some boats will show two white lights in a line, if you see fishing vessels close to each then treat them as a whole and stay well clear.

Annex IV

There are several ways of signalling distress including firing a flare, declaring a Mayday and slowly raising and lowering of hand signals.