Page 12 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

PREFACE

When the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea were revised
at an International Conference held in 1960 the changes made were
generally of minor character. Soon after the amended Regulations
came into force in 1965 it became apparent that a more thorough
revision was necessary to take account of such developments as the
widespread acceptance and use of radar, the introduction of traffic
separation and the increase in size and speed of many ships. At an
International Conference held in October 1972 substantial changes
were made and a new format was adopted. The 1972 Regulations
came into force in 1977.
This book contains the complete text of the 1972 Regulations
together with an explanation of the changes which have been made
and background information about the intentions of the International
Conference. A number of coloured illustrations have been included
to show the new arrangements of lights and signals and there are also
several diagrams to explain certain aspects of the Steering and
Sailing Rules.
Although major changes have been made to the Rules much of the
original wording is still incorporated. Some of the phrases have been
considered many times in the Courts and extracts from Court judg-
ments which remain relevant in the context of the 1972 Regulations
have been included in this book to show how the Rules have been
interpreted.
In recent years much information has become available on the
maneuvring characteristics of ships. The stopping distances and
turning circles of ships of various types and sizes are shown in a
number of diagrams at the end of the book. The effects of interaction
are also described and illustrated. Recommendations on maneuvres
to avoid collision are included together with a manmuvring diagram.
A sound knowledge of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea has always been considered to be essential for navigating
officers. Candidates for examinations have sometimes been encour-
aged to commit the Rules to memory but this does not necessarily
result in a clear understanding of the contents. The purpose of
this book is to promote a better understanding of the Rules by
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