Handbook of the Nautical Rules of the Road by Llana & Wisneskey
Table of ContentsPrefaces to Second and First Editions - - - Part A - General - - - Part B - Steering and Sailing Rules Of the five parts in the Rules, Part B is by far the most important. The very heart of the Rules, it prescribes precautions and duties the master should observe in detecting and assessing the risk of collision. It then mandates the action to be taken as soon as the risk materializes. Because the visibility around a vessel is so critical in avoiding collision, the Steering and Sailing Rules contain different requirements for different conditions of visibility. Part B's Rules are diveded into three sections (called "subparts" in the Inland Rules): the first applies to vessels in all conditions of visibility; the second only to vessels in sight of one another; and the third to vessels in or near areas of restricted visibility. SECTION/SUBPART I - Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility Rule 8 - Action to Avoid Collision Rule 10 - Traffic Separation Schemes / Vessel Traffic Services - - - SECTION/SUBPART II - Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another Rule 16 - Action by Give-way Vessel Rule 17 - Action by Stand-on Vessel Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels - - - SECTION/SUBPART III - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility Rule 19 - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility - - - Part C - Lights and Shapes Navigation lights are a critical part of obeying the Steering and Sailing Rules at night. If you have ever passed close by a vessel operating without lights, you have no doubt gained some appreciation for them. But beware; the navigation light arrangements that are so neatly illustrated in books will likely not be nearly so clear in real life. A masthead light will appear before sidelights; dim colored lights may look the same as white lights. A single white light could be a masthead light of one vessel type, a stern light of another, an anchor light, a practical deck light on a fishing trawler, an airplane's landing light, or a motorcycle idling on a dark pier. Don't make assumptions. The ambiguities you recognize as such probably won't kill you, but the ones you don't could very well ruin your evening. Part C of the Rules defines several types of navigation lights, specifies the minimum ranges, and gives the combination of lights that identifies each vessel by size, type, function, and activity. Annex I to the Rules provides technical details of performance and positioning that are essential for the manufacturers of navigation lights but less useful for the mariner. Part C also sets out the requirements for shapes, which convey information about a vessel, its situation, or its activity that would not be obvious even by day. The technical details on shape size, color, and spacing are contained in Annex I. Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights Rule 23 - Power-driven Vessels Underway Rule 25 - Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars Rule 26 - Navigation Lights for Fishing Vessels Rule 27 - Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver Rule 28 - Vessels Constrained by Their Draft Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground - - - Part D - Sound and Light Signals Part D contains the Rules for mandatory and voluntary signals., particularly sound signals--maneuvering signals and "fog" signals--and other signalling means as well. Rule 33 - Equipment for Sound Signals Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention - - - Part E - Exemptions - - - ANNEXES Annex I - Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes Annex II - Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity Annex III - Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances - - - Appendices to This Handbook Appendix I - Implementing Rules (Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations) Appendix II - Interpretative Rules (Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations) |