COLREGS and Uncertainty

[WAFI]

@Kennebec_Captain

In one sense “risk of collision” existed as soon as the Stockholm and the Andria Doria each left port (or before, but if you go down that path and start pondering free will it’s time to pull yourself back away from the abyss).

In the context of COLREGS there are clues, the visibility of nav lights and distance of sound signals, this is discussed in Farwell’s.

For open waters APL used to have a guide, 12-8 miles was evaluate, 8-4 miles was maneuver and less than 4 miles was monitor. For two ships in a simple situation risk of collision at 6 miles is a commonly used distance. If there is sea room a large vessel will turn at more than 12 miles and avoid the risk of collision altogether.

For restricted waters I’d expect a small boat to turn at or before one mile.

Thanks; that is extremely useful.

What do you consider “close quarters” in open sea? Anything less than a mile?

Is there anything in the commentaries about it?