Rule 5 - 17%
Rule 6 - 7.5%
Rule 7 - 6.8%
Rule 8 - 21.2%
Rule 9 - 1.4%
Rule 13 - 10.4%
Rule 14 - 2%
Rule 15 - 13%
Rule 16 - 9%
Rule 17 - 4.8%
Rule 19 - 1.4%
Rule 23 - 1.4%
Rule 24 - 0.7%
Rule 25 - 0.7%
Rule 30 - 0.7%
Rule 34 - 2%
The analysis above shows that most of the collisions occurred due to contravention of Rule 8 (21.2% - Failed to take action in ample time and due regard to the observance of good seamanship), Rule 5 (17% - Failed to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means (including radar)), Rule 15 (13% - Failed to keep out of the way of the vessel on her own starboard) and Rule 13 (10.4% - Failed to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken).
4 Our investigations indicate that the failures to follow the COLREGs were not due to any lack of clarity of the provisions, but due to simple non-observance of the requirements through lack of knowledge, indifference or poor seamanship. It is felt that any amendment to COLREGs is unlikely to improve the situation. What is needed is more intensive training and an improvement in the shipboard safety culture in complying with the COLREGs.
5 Hong Kong, China is of the view that any amendment to the COLREGs should be based on inadequacies of the existing provisions, established through analysis of collision incidents. We agree with paragraph 4 of NAV 44/4 where the United Kingdom stated that they see no justification for amending Rule 18 to require HSC always to keep out of the way of other vessels. We can however support the United Kingdom view expressed in paragraph 7 of NAV 44/4, on development of a special signal for HSC.
6 The Government of HKSAR has designated routes for the HSC to operate between Hong Kong and Macau to ensure that head-on situations do not occur between HSC. This has served well in that there was only one minor collision between HSC in the last 14 years. This collision occurred in thick fog and the damage to both HSC was insignificant.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
7 The Sub-Committee is invited to note the comments and observations set out in this paper when considering amendments to COLREGs.
