Collision Regulations with Canadian Modifications Part 1

COLREGs & Canadian Modifications — Study Module

COLREGS

Collision Regulations · Canadian Modifications · Study Module

🍁 Transport Canada

Part A — General · Part B — Steering & Sailing · Part C — Lights · Part D — Sound · Canadian Modifications

R.1

Application

The rules apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.

High SeasConnected WatersSeagoing Vessels

🍁 Canadian ModificationThe Collision Regulations (CAN/CGSB-26.2) apply to all Canadian waters including inland lakes, rivers and canals. Canada has adopted the COLREGs with specific modifications for inland waters under the Canada Shipping Act 2001. Some inland waters have additional local rules.

R.2

Responsibility

Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these rules or the precautions required by the ordinary practice of seamen.

Good SeamanshipSpecial Circumstances

🍁 Canadian NoteMasters and mates must comply even if following a pilot's orders does not remove personal liability. Canadian courts have consistently upheld this principle.

R.3

General Definitions

Vessel: Every description of watercraft including seaplanes and WIG craft. Power-driven vessel: Any vessel propelled by machinery. Sailing vessel: Any vessel under sail only (not using engine). Vessel not under command (NUC): Unable to manoeuvre as required by exceptional circumstance. Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre (RAM): Nature of work restricts ability to manoeuvre. Underway: Not at anchor, aground, or made fast to shore.

NUCRAMUnderway ≠ Making Way

Part B — Steering & Sailing Rules

R.5

Look-out

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

SightHearingAll Available MeansRadar

R.6

Safe Speed

Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed at all times. Factors include: visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, presence of background lights, sea state, and for radar-equipped vessels: characteristics and limitations of radar.

VisibilityTraffic DensityStopping Distance

R.7

Risk of Collision

Use all available means to determine if risk exists. Risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change. Risk may exist even with a large bearing change if approaching a large vessel at close range.

Compass BearingRadar PlottingTCPA

R.8

Action to Avoid Collision

Any action shall be positive, made in ample time and result in passing at a safe distance. Alterations must be large enough to be readily apparent. A succession of small alterations is to be avoided. If necessary, vessel shall be slowed or stopped.

Positive ActionAmple TimeLarge Alteration

R.9

Narrow Channels

🍁 Modified

Keep as near to the outer limit of the channel on the starboard side as is safe and practicable. Vessels under 20m and sailing vessels shall not impede vessels using the channel. Shall not cross if impeding.

Starboard Side<20m Don't ImpedeSound Signal to Pass

🍁 Canadian ModificationIn Canadian inland waters, the rules for overtaking in narrow channels require the overtaking vessel to signal intent (one prolonged + one short = overtake to starboard). The vessel being overtaken must signal agreement. Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway has additional channel regulations under the Seaway Traffic Act.

R.10

Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS)

🍁 Modified

Vessels shall use the appropriate traffic lane and proceed in the general direction of flow. Shall not use inshore traffic zones unnecessarily. Cross at right angles. Joining/leaving at ends or acute angle.

Traffic Lane DirectionCross at 90°Avoid Separation Zone

🍁 Canadian TSS AreasCanada has designated TSS schemes at: Juan de Fuca Strait (BC), Chedabucto Bay (NS), and approaches to major ports. Vessels must report to VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) when entering Canadian TSS zones. NORDREG reporting required north of 60°N.

R.13

Overtaking

Any vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. A vessel is overtaking when coming up from a direction more than 22.5° abaft the beam (in the sternlight sector). When in doubt — you are overtaking. Once overtaking, always overtaking until finally past and clear.

22.5° Abaft BeamSternlight SectorAlways Give Way

R.14

Head-on Situation

When two power-driven vessels meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, each shall alter course to starboard so each passes on the port side. When in doubt, assume head-on applies.

Both Alter to StarboardBoth Give Way

R.15

Crossing Situation

When two power-driven vessels crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances permit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

Other to Starboard = Give WayAvoid Crossing Ahead

R.16

Action by Give-way Vessel

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

EarlySubstantialWell Clear

R.17

Action by Stand-on Vessel

(a)(i) The stand-on vessel shall keep her course and speed. (a)(ii) May take action to avoid collision alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. (b) When in extremis — take the best action to avoid collision. (c) Does not relieve give-way vessel of obligation.

Maintain Course & SpeedMay Act at R.17(a)(ii)Must Act at Extremis

R.18

Responsibilities Between Vessels (Hierarchy)

Power-driven vessels keep clear of: NUC → RAM → Constrained by Draft → Fishing → Sailing → Vessel under 20m (in restricted channels). A seaplane shall keep clear of all vessels.

NUC Top PriorityCBD (open sea only)Seaplane = Always Give Way

Part C — Lights & Shapes

R.20-31

Lights — Application & Key Rules

🍁 Modified

Masthead light: White, 225°, forward of beam. Sidelights: Red (port) & Green (stbd), 112.5° each. Sternlight: White, 135°. All-round light: White or coloured, 360°. Towing light: Yellow, same arc as sternlight.

Visibility ranges (open sea): Masthead: 6nm (>50m) / 5nm (12-50m). Sidelights: 3nm (>12m). Sternlight: 3nm. All-round: 3nm (>50m) / 2nm (<50m).

Masthead 225°Stern 135°All-round 360°

🍁 Canadian Modification — Inland WatersOn inland waters vessels under 20m may exhibit an all-round white light instead of separate masthead and sternlight. Vessels under 7m with max 7 knots may show only a white all-round flashlight. Canoe/kayak: white light or flashlight to prevent collision. Canadian waters also follow Transport Canada TP 9511E for small vessel lighting standards.

Part D — Sound & Light Signals

R.34

Manoeuvring & Warning Signals

🍁 Modified

1 short: Altering to starboard. 2 short: Altering to port. 3 short: Operating astern propulsion. 5 short rapid: Doubt or danger signal. In restricted visibility — Not signals of intent.

1 Short = Stbd2 Short = Port3 Short = Astern5+ = Danger

🍁 Canadian Modification — Inland Signal DifferenceOn Canadian inland waters (Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, rivers), manoeuvring signals indicate INTENT (unlike open sea where they signal action). When a vessel signals intent, the other must respond with the same signal if in agreement, or five short blasts if not. This is a critical difference from open-sea COLREGs!

R.35

Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

Power-driven underway making way: 1 prolonged every 2 min. Power-driven underway but stopped: 2 prolonged every 2 min. NUC/RAM/CBD/Fishing/Sailing: 1 prolonged + 2 short every 2 min. Vessel being towed: 1 prolonged + 3 short every 2 min. Anchored vessel >100m: Bell forward + gong aft.

PDV Making Way: 1PStopped: 2PNUC/Sailing: 1P+2S

Correct

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Question 1 of 20 · COLREGs + Canadian Modifications

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Answer

Rule	Topic	Key Requirement	Category

Exam Strategy · Common Traps · Canadian Specifics

01
⚡ Inland vs. Open Sea Signals — The #1 Trap
On the open sea, manoeuvring signals (1, 2, 3 short blasts) indicate what you ARE DOING. On Canadian inland waters, they indicate what you INTEND TO DO and require a response. This distinction is heavily tested. Always identify which waters the question is set in first.

🍁 The Rule 18 Hierarchy — Memorize This

NUC → RAM → Constrained by Draft (CBD) → Fishing → Sailing → Power-driven vessel. Remember CBD only applies on the high seas — not inland waters. A common exam trick is to place a CBD situation in a river or lake to test this knowledge.

Rule 17 — Three Stages of the Stand-on Vessel

Stage 1: Maintain course and speed (mandatory until Stage 2). Stage 2 (R.17a ii): May take action when it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not acting. Stage 3 (In Extremis / R.17b): Must take the best possible action. Exam questions will test whether you know when each stage applies.

🍁 NORDREG — Northern Canada Reporting

Vessels operating north of 60°N latitude in Canadian Arctic waters must report to NORDREG (Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone). This includes foreign vessels over 300 GT transiting Canadian Arctic waters. Mandatory 24-hour advance notice required.

Overtaking — Always Give Way

If you come up with a vessel from any direction more than 22.5° abaft its beam, you are overtaking — and you ALWAYS give way, regardless of whether you're power-driven and they're sailing. The overtaking rule supersedes the sail-over-power rule. Once overtaking, remain the give-way vessel until past and clear.

06
⚡ "Vessel Not Under Command" Definition Trap
NUC means the vessel is unable to manoeuvre due to some EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE — not just bad conditions. A vessel in heavy weather is NOT automatically NUC. The master must determine and declare the vessel NUC. NUC lights (two all-round red lights) must be shown. NUC takes highest priority in Rule 18.

🍁 Transport Canada Small Vessel Lighting (TP 9511E)

Vessels under 6m: may show only a white all-round light. Vessels 6-8m: red/green sidelights OR combined lantern plus sternlight. Canoes/kayaks: must have a light to prevent collision (flashlight acceptable). Human-powered vessels: white light visible all around. These differ from COLREGs open sea requirements.

Restricted Visibility — Key Rule: R.19

In or near restricted visibility: safe speed, engines ready, radar watch maintained. If you hear a fog signal forward of the beam — reduce to minimum steerage speed or stop. Do NOT alter to port for a vessel forward of the beam (except overtaking). Alter to starboard always preferred. Exam questions often set up scenarios to see if you improperly alter to port.

🍁 VTS Zones — Canadian Requirement

Canada has mandatory VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) zones in key areas: Vancouver/Fraser River, Prince Rupert, Halifax, Saint John, Sept-Îles, and the St. Lawrence River. Foreign vessels over 500 GT must participate. Position reports at designated calling-in points are mandatory. Failure to report is a violation of the Canada Shipping Act 2001.

Sound Signal Memory Aid

"1-2-3 in fog is not for me" — In restricted visibility, the 1/2/3 short blast signals are NOT used (those are manoeuvring signals for clear conditions). In fog, use the R.35 fog signals: prolonged and short combinations. A common exam error is confusing fog signals with manoeuvring signals.