Page 83 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

British Tenacity-Minster
The Minster was generously fitted with electronic navigational aids, and yet
she failed to enter this narrow channel upon her proper side and failed at all
times thereafter to get to it. (Mr Justice Hewson, 1963)
(b) Small craft and sailing vessels

This paragraph combines Rules 20(b) and 25(c) of the 1960 Regu-
lations. It now also applies to fairways.
All vessels of less than 20 metres in length, and sailing vessels of
any size, must avoid impeding the passage of a vessel which can
safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. This Rule
differs from the Rules in Part B, Section 11 which generally allocate
prime responsibility to one of two vessels approaching so as to
involve risk of collision. In this case the application of Rule 8(f) is
relevant (see pages 58-60).
Rule 8(f)(i) requires early action from a vessel which must avoid
impeding the passage of another vessel, when such action is required
by the circumstances of the case.
Small craft and sailing vessels are therefore expected to take early
action to keep well clear of vessels which can only navigate within
the channel or fairway, without waiting to determine if risk of colli-
sion exists. This Rule does not relieve a power-driven vessel which
is restricted to the channel from her obligation to keep out of the way
of a small power-driven vessel being overtaken or crossing from her
starboard side, or of any sailing vessel, if there is risk of collision.
Small vessels and sailing vessels are not required to avoid impeding
the passage of all power-driven vessels of over 20 metres in length
when in a narrow channel. Many power-driven vessels which exceed
that length may be able to navigate outside the channel limits.
However, it is not only the passage of a vessel showing the lights or
shapes to indicate that she is constrained by her draught which must
not be impeded. Small vessels should take the width and depth of the
channel into account and, if in doubt, keep clear of vessels likely to
be restricted.
(c) Vessels engaged in jishing

Rule 9(c) is based on the second sentence of Rule 26 of the 1960
Regulations. There is, however, a significant change in the wording
which conveys a different meaning. The former Rule 26 effectively
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