Navigation and Seamanship

4.1.2. Part A – General

                                                                      

Rule 1 – Application – application of these rules indifferent conditions, vessels etc.

Rule 2 – Responsibility – whose responsibility to follow all these rules

Rule 3 – General definitions – General definitions for the purpose of these rules

a)    Vessel – includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

b)   Power driven vessel – means any vessel propelled by machinery.

c)    Sailing vessel – means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted is not being used.

d)   Vessel engaged in fishing – means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which does not restrict maneuverability.

e)    Seaplanes – includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

f)     Vessel not under command – means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstances is unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

g)   Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre – means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel

The term vessel restricted in their ability to manoeuvre shall include but not be limited to:

i.              a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipe line

ii.            a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or under water operations

iii.           a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway

iv.           a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft.

v.            A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations

vi.           A vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.

h)   Vessel constrained by her draught – means a power – driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.

i)     Under way – means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore or aground.

j)     Length and breadth – of a vessel means her length overall and greatest breadth.

k)    Restricted visibility – means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog mist, falling snow heavy rains forms sand storms or any other similar cause.