Risk of Collision

Every vessel shall use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists. If in doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.

Rule 7 establishes how to determine risk of collision. Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.

Such risk may be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change — this is the most fundamental test.

Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty radar information, especially scanty radar information.

In determining if risk of collision exists, proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.

Key Takeaways

Steady compass bearing indicates risk of collision

If in ANY doubt, risk of collision shall be deemed to exist

Must use radar systematically, not casually

Never base assumptions on scanty radar information

Common Mistakes

Assuming no risk when bearing changes are very small

Not using radar plotting to track approaching vessels

Relying on AIS alone without visual confirmation

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