Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

4.1.1. Introduction

           

                                                                                    

          With the accelerated pace of technical and economical development in the shipping industry, there exists no area in accessible to modern vessels with the increase in size of vessels, the chances of accidents have become more especially in areas of lightly congested routes. The International regulations of shipping act is changed periodically by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). These rules are as important as ever and will go hand in hand with the rules of the road.

Rules of the Road. Internationally agreed-on traffic regulations for ocean waters A set of customary practices, especially for the operation of a motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft, established to promote efficiency and safety.Various regulations imposed upon travelers by land or water for their mutual convenience or safety. Any of the rules making up a code governing ships as to the lights to be carried the signals to be made and the action of one ship with respect to another when risk of collision exists.

                              International rules of the road are a set of statutes designed to promote navigational safety. It sets out the "rules of the road" to be followed by ships and other vessels at sea. It provides requirements for navigation lights, day shapes, steering and sailing rules, sound signals in good and restricted visibility condition, and distress signals, among other things.       International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, was framed in 1972 and they came to practice only from 1977. In total, there are about 38 rules, of which few are important as far as fishing vessels are concerned.