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ODE to the

‘RULE OF THE ROAD”

Thomas Grey

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WHEN BOTH LIGHTS YOU SEE AHEAD.

STARBOARD WHEEL AND SHOW YOUR RED.

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GREEN TO GREEN OR RED TO RED

PERFECT SAFETY GO AHEAD

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IF TO STARBOARD RED APPEAR

IT IS YOUR DUTY TO KEEP CLEAR;

ACT AS JUDGEMENT SAYS IS PROPER

GO TO STARBOARD - BACK OR STOP HER

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BUT WHEN UPON YOUR PORT IS SEEN

A STEAMER’S LIGHT OF GREEN,

THERE’S NOT MUCH FOR YOU TO DO,

FOR GREEN TO PORT KEEPS CLEAR OF YOU.

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BOTH IN SAFETY AND IN DOUBT

ALWAYS KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT:

IN DANGER WITH NO ROOM TO TURN,

EASE HER - STOP HER - GO ASTERN.

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In Summary, Masters Of Small Vessels

Should Bear In Mind The Following Points.

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Colregs Are Essentially Simple And Easily

Understood.

They are there to be learned and applied.

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Vessels Are Always Required To

• PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED• KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT• PASS OTHER VESSELS AT A SAFE DISTANCE.

• KEEP TO THE STARBOARD SIDE WHEN IN A MARKED CHANNEL

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Large vessels are simply unable to avoid small craft

in every single circumstance, even if

theoretically, the small craft can claim right of

way.

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In confined waters, small craft are required to keep clear of ships underway in channels and fairways.

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At sea, the risk of collision with an approaching vessel should be assessed by using a hand bearing compass to

keep track of bearing changes during the closing

phase.

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If risk of collision exists, small craft should either

move well clear long before a close quarters situation

arises or comply with COLREG signals and lights and make their intentions clear to the approaching

vessel.

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Efficient navigation lights and radar reflectors are of critical importance to small craft operating on or near

shipping routes

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IF THE COMPASS BEARING OF A SHIP APPROACHING TO CLOSE RANGE REMAINS UNCHANGED, A SMALL CRAFT SHOULD USE:-

•APPROPRIATE LIGHTS•SIGNALS•FLARES or•MARINE RADIO (VHF CH 16)AS APPROPRIATE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.

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FinallyWhen in the vicinity of a

large ship always remember

•MIGHT IS RIGHT

• AND

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LET COMMON

SENSE PREVAIL

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Ken’s first Rule.

• NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL OTHER CRAFT WILL KNOW AND OBEY THESE RULES. ALWAYS USE GREAT CAUTION IN A CLOSE QUARTERS SITUATION.

This “Rule” is not in the Act.

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Ken’s second Rule

• IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION VIEW IT OVER THE STERN.

• Also not in the “Rules”

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Ken’s third Rule

WHEN IN DANGER OR IN DOUBT

• SAIL IN CIRCLES• SCREAM and• SHOUT

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ANY QUESTIONS

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THE END