engleski

OVERTAKING VESSELS – COLREGs vs PRACTICE

Studies have shown that collisions are the most common type of maritime accidents. Human factor is their major cause. In order to reduce collisions caused by human factor, it is of great importance to know and understand the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (hereinafter COLREGs). COLREGs consist of 41 rules divided into six sections. The authors have researched the Rule 13, which covers overtaking, and is the essential part of Section II – Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another (Rules 11-18). According to the Rule 13, “a vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam” and “the overtaking vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken”. COLREGs are not specific on how to perform overtaking, i.e. on which side of a vessel. In other words, overtaking can be performed on both sides of the overtaken vessel. However, overtaking usually takes place on the port side of the overtaken vessel. In that way, the vessel does not impede another vessel’s starboard side. Survey questionnaire was used for the research and was divided in two parts. The first part of the survey questionnaire analyses the seafarers’ opinion on this practice. It also analyses whether the seafarers apply these actions in practice. The second part analyses the answers of the students without seagoing experience. Results of the comparison of the seafarers’ answers and the answers of the students without seagoing experience was used as the basis for the proposed measures to reduce the identified disproportion.

COLREGs, overtaking vessel, seafarers

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