Small Boat Guide to the Rules of the Road by John Mellor

A Small Boat Guide to the Rules of the Road: The Collision Regulations Simplified

In today's crowded waters a good working knowledge of the collision regulations is vital to everyone who takes a boat to sea. the rules themselves can be difficult to learn and understand, but they are presented in a new, easily-absorbed form which will enable you to steer clear of trouble throughout your sailing career. Includes:

A complete review of the International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
How to avoid getting into sticky situations.
What to do if you get too close for comfort.
Your rights and obligations on the water.
How to interpret lights, shapes and sound signals.
The principle rules reprinted verbatim for reference.

Contents:

1. Definitions.

Steering and Sailing Rules.
2. General conduct.
3. Risk of collision.
4. Avoiding collision.
5. Narrow channels.
6. Traffic separation schemes.
7. Light and collision sectors.
8. Sailing vessels.
9. Overtaking vessels.
10. Power vessels head-on.
11. Power vessels crossings.
12. General responsibilities.
13. Restricted visibility.
14. Radar and radio.

Lights and Shapes.
15. Lights: General definitions.
16. Interpreting lights and shapes.
17. Power-driven vessels.
18. Towing and pushing.
19. Sailing and rowing.
20. Fishing.
21. Not under command or restricted manoeuvrability.
22. Sundry vessels.
23. Identifying lights at sea.
24. Clarifying ambiguous lights.
25. Sound signals and distress signals.

Questions and answers.
Communications.
The collision regulations.