Page 67 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

of the action shall be carefdly checked until the other vessel is
finally past and clear.
(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the
situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off
by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.
A vessel which, by any of these rules, is required not to
impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel
shall, when required by the circumstances of the case,
take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe
passage of the other vessel.
A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe pas-
sage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if
approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of colli-
sion and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the
action which may be required by the rules of this Part.
(iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded
remains fully obliged to comply with the rules of this
part when the two vessels are approaching one another
so as to involve risk of collision.

COMMENT:
(a) Positive action in ample time
This paragraph corresponds to paragraph 1 of the Preliminary to the
Steering and Sailing Rules of the 1960 Regulations but the require-
ment now applies in any condition of visibility. The words ‘shall, if the
circumstances of the case admit’ are used instead of the word ‘should’
to emphasise the need for positive action to be taken in ample time.
The circumstances must obviously be taken into account in con-
sidering what is meant by ‘ample time’. In both clear and restricted
visibility the situation should, if possible, be carefully assessed
before action is taken. Assumptions should not be made on the basis
of scanty information (see pages 43-5).
When vessels are in visual sight of one another the vessel which is
directed to keep out of the way, must, so far as possible, take early
avoiding action as required by Rule 16. If the give-way vessel takes
action in good time the stand-on vessel will be required to maintain
her course and speed and will not be justified in taking action in
accordance with Rule 17(a)(ii).

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