Page 25 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

RULE 2

Re sp o n s i b i 1 i ty
(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the
owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any
neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any
precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice
of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard
shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to
any special circumstances, including the limitations of the
vessels involved, which may make a departure from these
Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

COMMENT:
(a) This Rule is very similar to Rule 29 of the 1960 Regulations but
does not include provisions about carrying lights or keeping a proper
look-out. The need for a proper look-out is now covered separately,
with greater emphasis, in Rule 5, and the requirement to carry lights
or signals is adequately covered in Rule 20 and subsequent Rules.

Precautions required by good seamanship or special circumstances
Some examples of precautions which may be required by the
ordinary practice of seamen, or by special circumstances, are the
following:
1. A vessel under way would be expected to keep clear of a vessel
at anchor as a matter of seamanship. But a vessel under way and
stopped must not rely on other vessels keeping out of her way, unless
she is not under command and is displaying the appropriate signals;
she must comply with the Rules.
2, When a vessel anchors she must do so without endangering
other vessels which may be navigating close by. She must not anchor
too close to other anchored vessels. Sufficient cable must be put out
according to circumstances and a second anchor should be used if
necessary.
3. In dense fog a vessel without operational radar may not be
justified in being under way at all but should anchor if it is safe and
practicable for her to do so.

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