IRPCS Masterclass Rules 1 to 3

Rule 1
Application
(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith
navigable by seagoing vessels.
(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by an appropriate
authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected with the high seas
and navigable by seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as possible to
these Rules.
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the
Government of any State with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle
signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or with respect to additional station
or signal lights or shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional station
or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be
mistaken for any light, shape or signal authorised elsewhere under these Rules.
(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by the Organization for the purpose of these Rules.
(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of any special
construction or purpose cannot comply with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to
the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and
characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, such vessel shall comply with such other
provisions in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well
as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, as her Government shall
have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect of that vessel.
Rule 2
Responsibility
(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the
consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which
may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation
and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved,
which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
Rule 3
General definitions
For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:
(a) The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft,
WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(b) The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if
fitted, is not being used.
(d) The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other
fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with
trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.
(e) The word “seaplane” includes any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water.
(f) The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through some exceptional
circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep
out of the way of another vessel.
(g) The term “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 “vessels 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 pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater 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) The term “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) The word “underway” means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.
(j) The words “length” and “breadth” of a vessel mean her length overall and greatest breadth.
(k) Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from
the other.