Scope
Any vessel (or class of vessels) which complies with the 1960 Regulations, and whose keel is laid (or which is at a corresponding stage of construction) before these Regulations enter into force, may be exempted from compliance as follows:
COLREGs trainerPart E: Exemptions
Rule 38
Exemptions
Time-limited exemptions for older vessels regarding lights, shapes, and equipment.
Wording follows the International Regulations as printed in the US Coast Guard Navigation Rules handbook (2024), with British spelling, and is shortened in places. Download the rules
Read the whole of Rule 38 on one page
Scope
Any vessel (or class of vessels) which complies with the 1960 Regulations, and whose keel is laid (or which is at a corresponding stage of construction) before these Regulations enter into force, may be exempted from compliance as follows:
Paragraph (a): Light ranges
The installation of lights with ranges prescribed in Rule 22: until four years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
Paragraph (b): Light colour specifications
The installation of lights with colour specifications prescribed in Section 7 of Annex I: until four years after the date of entry into force.
Paragraph (c): Imperial-to-metric repositioning
The repositioning of lights as a result of conversion from Imperial to metric units and rounding off measurement figures: permanent exemption.
Paragraph (d): Masthead light repositioning
(i) Repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of less than 150 m, resulting from Section 3(a) of Annex I: permanent exemption. (ii) Repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of 150 m or more, resulting from Section 3(a) of Annex I: until nine years after the date of entry into force.
Paragraph (e): Masthead lights, Section 2(b)
The repositioning of masthead lights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(b) of Annex I: until nine years after the date of entry into force.
Paragraph (f): Sidelight repositioning
The repositioning of sidelights resulting from the prescriptions of Sections 2(g) and 3(b) of Annex I: until nine years after the date of entry into force.
Paragraph (g): Sound signal appliances
The requirements for sound signal appliances prescribed in Annex III: until nine years after the date of entry into force.
Paragraph (h): All-round light repositioning
The repositioning of all-round lights resulting from the prescription of Section 9(b) of Annex I: permanent exemption.
After Part E: Part F (Rule 39 onward)
Part F, from Rule 39 onward, sets out how governments that are party to the Convention are checked for carrying it out, using the IMO instruments. It is addressed to governments, not to vessels at sea, and this trainer does not cover it.
A training aid, not the official text. The COLREGs are an IMO convention, and your national authority publishes the version that applies in its waters. Check the rules themselves before you rely on them at sea. Download the rules.