COLREGs trainerPart B: Steering and Sailing Rules
Rule 8
Action shall be positive, made in ample time, and with due regard to good seamanship.
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
Any action taken to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.
Any alteration of course and/or speed shall, if the circumstances admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations should be avoided.
If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation, provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation.
Action taken to avoid collision shall result in passing at a safe distance. Its effectiveness shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear.
If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.
(i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel. (ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of collision and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the Rules of this Part. (iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this Part when the two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision. In plain words: where a rule tells a vessel not to impede another (Rules 9(b), 9(c), 9(d), 10(i), 10(j) and 18(d)), act early, before any risk of collision, so the other vessel has room. If risk of collision develops anyway, both vessels still follow the steering and sailing rules.
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.