Necessity of Understanding the Interconnection and Application of Collision Avoidance Rules

The Agency for Investigation of Accidents in Air, Marine, and Rail Transport stresses that a complete and comprehensive understanding of the Collision Avoidance Rules (COLREGs)—not just individual rules or parts of them, but their interconnected application—is essential for their correct implementation.
The set of rules for collision avoidance must not be interpreted selectively, by isolating only one rule or a part of it, but should always be viewed in their full interrelation and applied as such.
Any deviation from this approach in the dynamic marine environment leads to misinterpretation of navigational situations, resulting in failures to take timely and appropriate actions to prevent collisions.

Recipients: This safety advisory is intended for: All individuals operating vessels and members of navigational watch, students and trainees preparing for these roles, legal entities providing marine education and training, examination boards at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Port Authorities related to navigation rules and collision avoidance.