Page 36 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

PART B - STEERING AND SAILING RULES

Section I - Conduct of Vessels in any
Condition of Visibility

RULE 4
A pp 1 ic a t io n
Rules in this Section apply in any condition of visibility.

COMMENT:
The Steering and Sailing Rules are now divided into three sections.
The Rules in the first section are of a general nature, applying in all
conditions of visibility. Regulations relating to speed, proper use of
radar, avoidance of a succession of small alterations, and the necessity
to check the effectiveness of avoiding action are made applicable to
vessels in clear visibility for the first time in the 1972 Regulations.

RULE 5
Look-out

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by
sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate
in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a
full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

COMMENT:
In the 1960 and previous Regulations the requirement to keep a
look-out was covered by the rule of good seamanship which, in
effect, stated that mariners would not be exonerated from the conse-
quences of any neglect to keep a proper look-out. The interpretation
of ‘proper look-out’ was left for the Courts to decide. The new Rule 5
of the 1972 Regulations places greater emphasis on this important
aspect of collision avoidance by making it a positive, rather than an

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