AUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF
NAVIGATION
45th session
Agenda item 4
NAV 45/4/4
30 July 1999
Original: ENGLISH
AMENDMENTS TO THE COLREGs
Comments of the International Sailing Federation
SUMMARY
Executive summary: This paper contains the observations of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) on the Note of Hong Kong, China (NAV 45/4/1) on the operations of High-Speed Craft and the need for amendments to COLREGs.
Action to be taken: Paragraph 7
Related documents: NAV 45/4/1
This document is submitted in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 46.5 of the Guidelines on the organization and method of work of the MSC and MEPC and their subsidiary bodies (MSC/Circ.932 and MEPC/Circ.367).
1 The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) notes with interest the Note by Hong Kong, China (NAV 45/4/1) on the operation of High-Speed Craft in its waters and the data based on its analysis of actions involving such craft in its waters.
2 It accepts that this data supports the contention that most accidents have arisen because of breaches of the Collision Regulations by a HSC involved in the incident. What the data does not show is whether the otter vessel involved would have had the opportunity to take avoiding action in accordance with its obligations under Rule 17 (b). The difference in the relative speed and manoeuvrability of many small vessels in comparison to the speed and manoeuvrability of HSC reduces the period of time in which a small ship, being a stand-on vessel, has to take avoiding action under that Rule.
3 For those reasons it supports a change in the Collision Regulations to include HSC in Rule 23 (b) so as to require them to display an all-round amber flashing light. This will enable a stand-on vessel to pay particular attention to a HSC at an early stage and assist it in the decision whether it should take action under Rule 17 (b). The Collision Regulations do not contain any definition of HSC. The definition in SOLAS Chapter X is not appropriate for this purpose and ISAF suggests that HSC be defined as any power-driven vessel exceeding 30m in length and operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.
