Page 131 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

not taking appropriate action as the give-way ship in accordance with the
regulations. In my judgment, as a matter of good seamanship in the light of
Rule 17(a)(ii), he should have made a bold alteration of course to starboard.
Finally, he should have put the engines full astern and the wheel hard to
starboard when the ships were about a mile apart, whereas the only action
he took was to put the wheel hard to starboard as set out above. In failing to
take that action he was in breach of Rule 17(b).
In the Koscierzyna-Hanjin Singapore the Hanjin Singapore was
overtalung the Koscierzyna, approaching from directly astern, on the
same course. The speed of the Hanjin Singapore was 21 knots, the
speed of the Koscierzyna was 10.5 knots. Neither vessel took any
action before the collision. It was held in the Court of Appeal (1 995)
that Hanjin Singapore was mainly to blame but that Koscierzyna
should have altered course about 20"-30" (preferably to port) when
the range had decreased to about one mile. Koscierzyna was held to
be 15% to blame.

Compulsory action by the stand-on vessel
When the stand-on vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot
be avoided by the give-way vessel alone she is required to take action.
The distance between the two vessels at the moment when action
becomes compulsory for the stand-on vessel will vary with the direc-
tion and speed of approach and will also depend on the give-way ves-
sel's manceuvring characteristics. In a crossing situation this distance
will usually be about four times the length of the give-way vessel.
As it is difficult to determine exactly how close the give-way ves-
sel could approach before she is unable to avoid collision by her own
action alone, the stand-on vessel should preferably take action before
reaching this stage. An alteration of course to starboard to avoid a
vessel approaching from the port bow could be a dangerous manceu-
vre if there is insufficient time to get clear. In the open sea it is sug-
gested that a stand-on vessel should not allow a give-way vessel to
approach to a distance of less than about twelve times her own length
in a crossing situation without taking avoiding action.
When the vessels are so close that collision cannot be avoided by
the give-way vessel alone the stand-on vessel is required to take such
action as will best aid to avoid collision. Rule 17(c) does not apply at
this stage, a power-driven vessel is permitted to turn to port for
another power-driven vessel on the port bow. Turning towards the
other vessel may be the best action to take at close quarters if one
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