What is the primary purpose of the naviagation rules?

Answer 1

To ensure that Mariners from all over the world are on the same page to avoid collisions and mishaps at sea. In the US they are broken up into two main categories; International and Inland. They provide a set of rules and guidelines for operating any vessel in waters that are mandated by these rules.

International

The International Rules in this book were formalized in the Convention on

the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and

became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules (commonly called 72

COLREGS) are part of the Convention, and vessels flying the flags of states

ratifying the treaty are bound to the Rules. The United States has ratified

this treaty and all United States flag vessels must adhere to these Rules

where applicable. President Gerald R. Ford proclaimed 72 COLREGS and

the Congress adopted them as the International Navigational Rules Act of

1977.

The 72 COLREGS were developed by the Inter-Governmental Maritime

Consultative Organization (IMCO) which in May 1982 was renamed the

International Maritime Organization (IMO). In November 1981, IMO's

Assembly adopted 55 amendments to the 72 COLREGS which became

effective on June 1, 1983. The IMO also adopted 9 more amendments

which became effective on November 19, 1989. The International Rules in

this book contain these amendments.

These Rules are applicable on waters outside of established navigational

lines of demarcation. The lines are called COLREGS Demarcation Lines

and delineate those waters upon which mariners shall comply with the

Inland and International Rules. COLREGS Demarcation Lines are contained

in this book.

Inland

The Inland Rules in this book replace the old Inland Rules, Western Rivers

Rules, Great Lakes Rules, their respective pilot rules and interpretive rules,

and parts of the Motorboat Act of 1940. Many of the old navigation rules

were originally enacted in the last century. Occasionally, provisions were

added to cope with the increasing complexities of water transportation.

Eventually, the navigation rules for United States inland waterways became

such a confusing patchwork of requirements that in the 1960's several

attempts were made to revise and simplify them. These attempts were not

successful.

Following the signing of the Convention on the International Regulations for

Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, a new effort was made to unify and

update the various inland navigation rules. This effort culminated in the

enactment of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980. This legislation sets

out Rules 1 through 38- the main body of the Rules. The five Annexes

were published as regulations. It is important to note that with the exception

of Annex V to the Inland Rules, the International and Inland Rules and

Annexes are very similar in both content and format.

The effective date for the Inland Navigation Rules was December 24, 1981,

except for the Great Lakes where the effective date was March 1, 1983.