International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea

(IRPCS)

Quick Quiz

Rule 1Do the Rules apply in the upper reaches of a tidal river, e.g. on the River Fal at Truro?

Yes, this is navigable water connected with the high seas

Rule 3Do the Rules apply to seaplanes and Hovercraft?

Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing count as a sailing vessel or as a power-driven vessel in the Rules?

You are drifting with sails up but the speed through the water is zero. Are you “under way”?

Yes, they apply to all watercraft capable of being used for transport on water.

As a power-driven vessel.

Yes, any vessel not at anchor not made fast to the shore not aground is underway.

Rule 5How often and by what means should a vessel maintain a look-out?

At all times, by sight, sound and all available means.

Note: this rule applies to all vessels including single-handed sailors

Rule 6What is a safe speed?

A speed which will allow time for effective action to be taken to avoid a collision.

Consider: Visibility, Draught / Depth of water, Weather / Sea State, Traffic, Hazards

Rule 7What is the principal indicator that a risk of collision exists?

When the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not change.

Rule 8Does the rule require any alteration of course or speed to avoid a collision to be large or to be a succession of small alterations?

Large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel. A succession of small alterations is to be avoided.

Rule 9What special onus is put on sailing vessels and vessels less than 20m in length in narrow channels?

They must not impede the passage of a vessel which can navigate safely only in the channel.

Rule 10When you must cross a traffic separation scheme lane what heading should be used?The heading should be as nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow.

Rule 11Rules 12 – 18 apply only to vessels who are in sight of one another.

True or False?

True

Rule 12When two sailing vessels on opposite tacks meet which gives way to the other;

1. the vessel with the wind on the port side

2. the vessel with the wind on the starboard side

Rule 12When two sailing vessels on the same tack meet which gives way to the other;

1. The vessel to windward of the other2. The vessel to leeward of the other

Rule 12A sailing vessel on port tack sees another sailing vessel ahead to windward but is not certain whether this yacht is on port or starboard tack. Does she:

stand on or take action to avoid a collision?

Rule 13A fast sailing multi-hull is steadily overhauling a power driven cabin cruiser

Which keeps clear?

The overtaking vessel (sail or power) keeps clear.

Rule 14When two power-driven vessels meet head on.Should they alter course:

To port orTo starboard?

Each alters course to starboard

Rule 15Two power-driven vessels are crossing. Who keeps clear:

The vessel with the other on her port side?The vessel with the other on her starboard side?The vessel with the other on her starboard side.

Rule 16What kind of action should be taken by the vessel required to keep clear?

It should be _______and __________early substantial

Rule 17What is the “Stand-on” vessel required to do?

Maintain her course and speed.

Rule 17When should the “stand-on” vessel take action to avoid a collision?

When a collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone.

Rule 18List the following in order of priority (first listed gives way to second…)

1 Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre2 Power driven vessel3 Vessel engaged in fishing4 Sailing vessel5 Vessel constrained by draught

2, 4, 3, 1, 5

Rule 19In restricted visibility what must all vessels ensure as regards their speed and means of propulsion?

Safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstancesEngines ready for immediate manoeuvre

Rule 20During which of the following periods should navigation lights be exhibited?

Dusk to dawnSunset to sunriseIn restricted visibilitySunset to sunrise. In restricted visibility

Rule 21Match the lights listed to their arcs of visibility:Masthead light, Sidelight, Stern light, All round light

360º; 112.5º on each side of bow; 112.5º on one side of bow only;67.5º on each side of stern

Masthead lightSidelight

Stern light

All round light

Rule 22What is the minimum range of visibility of lights for vessels under 12metres in length?

Masthead & Sternlight: 1, 2, 3 or 6 milesSidelights: 1, 2 or 3 milesMasthead & Sternlight 2 milesSidelights 1 miles

Rule 23Match the lengths overall to the illustrations:

A: under 7m, max speed 7knotsB: 12-20mC: under 12mA

CB

C

Rule 24What additional lights are shown by a power vessel towing:

A: length of tow 200m or less

B: length of tow greater than 200m?

One additional masthead light + yellow towing light at the stern

Two additional masthead lights + yellow towing light at the stern

Rule 24

What lights are shown by a vessel being towed?

Sidelights and a Sternlight

Rule 25

Which of the following light combinations are legal when sailing?

A: 1, 2, 3 & 4B: 1C: 2, 3 & 4D: 3 & 4E: 1 & 2

Rule 25

Which of the following light combinations are legal when under power?

A: 1, 2, 3 & 4B: 1C: 2, 3 & 4D: 3 & 4E: 1 & 2

Rule 26What additional lights must a vessel engaged in trawling show at night?

What shape must it show by day?All-round green over all-round white

Two cones, apex together

Rule 26What additional lights must a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling show at night?

When its gear extends more than 150m to the side what further additional light and shape must it show?

All-round red over all round white

All-round white light in the direction of the gear

Annex IIWhat lights should the following Fishing Vessels exhibit when fishing in Close Proximity:

Trawler shooting nets?

Trawler hauling nets?

Pair trawling?

Purse seiners?

Nets fast on an obstruction?

Two all-round white lights

All-round white over all-round red

Searchlight directed forward towards the other of the pair

Two flashing yellow lights

Two all-round red lights

Rule 27What additional lights are shown by a vessel not under command?

What shape does it show by day?Two all-round red lights

Two balls in a vertical line

Rule 27What additional lights are shown by a vessel restricted in its ability to manoeuvre?

What shapes does it show by day?All-round red, white, red in a vertical line

Ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line

Rule 27What lights are shown by a vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations to show the obstructed side?

And the clear side?Obstructed: two all-round red lights vertically

Clear: two all-round green lights vertically

Rule 27

What additional lights are shown by a minesweeper at work?

What shapes by day?Three balls arranged as above

Three all-round green lights, one at the masthead and one at the end of each yard

Rule 28What additional lights are shown by a vessel constrained by her draught?

What shape is shown by day?Three all-round red lights

A cylinder

Rule 29What additional lights are shown by a vessel on pilot duty?All-round white over all-round red

Rule 30What lights are shown by vessels less than 50m in length at anchor?

What shape by day?

What additional light is shown by a vessel greater than 50m long?

All-round white light forward

A ball forward

An all-round white light low down near the stern

Rule 30What lights are shown by vessels aground?

What shape by day?Anchor lights plus two vertical all-round red lights

Three balls in vertical line

Rule 32How long is a “short blast”?

How long is a “prolonged blast”?

About one second

From 4 – 6 seconds

Rule 33What sound equipment should be carried by a vessel between 12 and 100m in length?

What sound equipment should be carried by vessels less than 12m in length?

A whistle and a bell (plus a gong for >100m)

What sound equipment should be carried by vessels less than 12m in length? “some other means of making an efficient sound signal”

Rule 34When the “Scillonian” makes the following sound signals in good visibility what do they mean?

One short blast

Two short blasts

Three short blasts

Five or more short and rapid blasts

I am altering course to starboard

I am altering course to port

I am operating astern propulsion

What are your intentions

Rule 34What do the following signals mean when made between vessels in a narrow channel?

Two prolonged followed by one short blast

Two prolonged followed by two short blasts

One long, one short, one long & one short

One prolonged blast

I intend to overtake on your starboard side

I intend to overtake on your port side

“OK go ahead” (by vessel being overtaken)

given by vessels approaching blind bend

Rule 35

What sounds should the following vessels make in restricted visibility?

A fishing vesselA vessel constrained by draughtA vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvreA vessel not under command

One long followed by two short blasts every 2 minsMorse “D” Dah, Dit, Dit “Keep clear of me I am manoeuvring with difficulty”

Rule 35What sounds should the following vessels make in restricted visibility?

Power vessel underway

Power driven vessel stopped, not making way

A tug

A sailing vessel

One long blast every 2 minutes

Two long blasts every 2 minutes

One long followed by two short every 2 mins

One long followed by two short blasts every 2 mins

Rule 35

If you hear in fog one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts what would you infer?

If you hear in fog a bell being rung rapidly for 5 seconds every minute what would you infer?

A vessel being towed is nearby

A vessel (<100m) at anchor is nearby

Rule 35

What sound signals must be made in restricted visibility by vessels less than 12m in length?

The normal signals as appropriate but if that is not possible some other sound at least every 2 minutes

Rule 37List as many IRPCS distress signals as you canGun or explosion once a minuteContinuous sound from fog signalRockets or shells throwing red starsSOS in Morse by any means“Mayday” on radioCode flags “NC”

Flames (burning tar barrel)Flares (Rocket, Red, Orange)Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering armsRadiotelegraph alarm signalEPIRB signalsSART signal (radar)DSC call (VHF)Square flag and round ball