Single-handed Voyages and the Collision Regulations

Extract

The 1972 Collision Regulations, which came into force in July 1977, strengthen the injunction on all vessels to keep a proper lookout by making it the subject of a separate Rule rather than including it in a general statement relating to the ordinary practice of seamen. The old Rule which laid down that nothing in the Rules would exonerate any vessel from the consequences of (amongst other things) ‘any neglect to keep a proper lookout’ virtually left what constitutes a proper lookout to the Courts. Rule 5 of the 1972 Regulations is much more specific. It reads: ‘Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of collision’. The Regulations apply in effect to ‘every description of water craft’ although it is reasonable to suppose from their source that the kind of vessel most in mind, unless otherwise stated, is the power-driven ship rather than, say, sampans or dugout canoes.