Beginner Maritime Watchkeeping and Rules of the Road

To navigate a vessel safely at sea, a mariner must understand the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs). They aim to establish rules to avoid collisions at sea. The increasing traffic on the lines of communication makes COLREGs regulations of extreme importance for safety at sea. This course introduces you to COLREGs general rules, along with the principal sections of the steering and sailing rules. We outline the required conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility, the conduct of vessels in sight of one another and the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. We teach you the application of the rules, responsibilities and vessel types in the context of COLREGs. You will study the general definitions guiding COLREGs, RAM vessels and the rules applicable in any visibility conditions. This course will cover how to maintain a proper look-out, the factors to be considered in determining a safe speed and the risk of collisions.

Next, this course will teach you the actions required to avoid a collision, actions to be taken by the vessels in narrow channels and the traffic separation schemes. To avoid a collision, learn the required effort that you should take when two sailing vessels are approaching one another. Investigate the rules that apply to the traffic separation schemes adopted by the relevant organisation and the actions needed from a vessel using the theme traffic separation scheme. Evaluate the steps that should be taken when the draft, ship's width and contour of the bottom of the channel are unsafe or not practicable to comply with this rule. We will help you understand the proper and effective action and stopping distance for vessels. Explore the responsibilities of vessels in overtaking and head-on situations when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses. Discover the important actions required when two power-driven vessels are crossing, which may involve risks of collisions. We describe the action by give-way vessel, stand-on vessel and the responsibilities between vessels.

The course will help you improve your knowledge of the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility, the application of the rule and how to prevent a sailing vessel underway from a vessel not under command. Familiarise yourself with preventing collisions between power-driven vessels underway from a vessel not under command and how vessels engaged in fishing can be prevented from a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. We discuss using all equipment, traditional and electronic, to enlighten users of the actual conditions. This course teaches you all the important rules that apply to all vessels on the high seas and in all waters navigable by seagoing vessels. It will be of significant interest to students, mariners and anyone with interest in gaining credible, advanced knowledge in the principles of watchkeeping together with the ‘Rules of the Road’. So register for this course today and improve your knowledge of the maritime watchkeeping systems and ‘Rules of the Road’ at sea.