《THE LAW OF COLLISION AT SEA》

CHAPTER Ⅰ-NAVIGATIONAL RULES1

The Safety of Life at Sea(SOLAS) Convention,1974/78,as amended in 19811

The Convention on Standards and Training,Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW),19785

(i)THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS7

(ii) NAVIGATIONAL WARNING SERVICES8

(iii) NAVIGATIONAL BUOYS AND MARKING WRECKS9

(iv) OCEAN DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS(ODAS)15

(v)NAVIGATIONAL CHART16

Historical background16

The essential role of the chart17

Functions18

Difficulties for the users18

The efforts of the IHO20

Co-operation with the IMO21

The electronic chart23

(vi)VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES(VTS)26

The IMO role27

Operational procedures28

Objectives and reasons28

Scope of application29

Elements of a VTS30

Code of practice32

(vii) DEEP SEA PILOTAGE33

(viii) THE STANDARD MARINE VOCABULARY34

(ix)MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE35

Save and Rescue(SAR) Convention36

(x) SATELLITE NAVIGATION41

CHAPTER Ⅱ-GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS47

The Collision Regulations(the Rules)48

Incorporation of the Rules into municipal law49

(i)AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES51

The 1981 Amendments51

Guidance59

The second set of Amendments61

(ii)INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES71

Liberal approach71

Special rules73

(iii)GENERAL-RULES 1,2 and 376

Rule 1-Application76

Rule 2-Responsibility86

Rule 3-General definitions95

CHAPTER Ⅲ-STEERING AND SAILING RULES:CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY105

Rule 4-Application105

Rule 5-Look-out105

Meaning of look-out106

The person on look-out106

The duties108

Bad look-out109

Rule 6-Safe Speed112

Meaning of safe speed113

Excessive speed115

Slow speed117

Factors to be taken into account117

Additional factors118

Rule 7-Risk of Collision123

Meaning of risk of collision124

Proper use of radar125

Radar running or on "standby"129

Long-range scanning and radar plotting130

Parallel Index Plotting135

ARPA(Automatic Radar Plotting Aids)137

Rule 8-Action to Avoid Collision141

Paragraph(a)142

Paragraph(b)143

Paragraph(c)145

Close-quarters situation145

Paragraph(d)150

Paragraph(e)151

Proposed paragraph to be added to Rule 8153

Rule 9-Narrow Channels154

Narrow154

Channel156

Mid-channel156

Paragraph(a)160

Paragraphs(b) and(c)164

Paragraph(d)164

Paragraph(e)170

Hydrodynamic Interaction170

Paragraph(f)178

Paragraph(g)182

Rule 10-Traffic Separation Schemes(TSS)183

Routeing of ships184

Paragraph(a)188

Paragraph(b)189

Paragraph(c)190

Paragraph(d)192

Paragraphs(e) to(1)195

CHAPTER Ⅳ-CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER AND IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY197

(i)CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER197

Rule 11-Application197

Rule 12-Sailing Vessels197

Rule 13-Overtaking198

The test199

Duty of overtaking vessel200

Illustrations201

Interaction204

Rule 14-Head-on situation204

Paragraphs(a) and(b)206

Paragraph(c)208

Rule 15-Crossing Situation209

Crossing Rule:when to apply?210

The duties imposed by Rule 15212

Distinction between Overtaking and Crossing situations216

Crossing Rule:when to cease?218

Rule 16-Action by Give-way Vessel220

Rule 17-Action by Stand-on Vessel222

Course and speed in(a)(i) and(b)222

Take action,para.(a)(ii)226

Paragraph(c)226

Paragraph(d)230

Rule 18-Responsibilities between Vessels230

Paragraphs(a),(b) and(c)231

Paragraph(d)232

(ii)CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY235

Rule 19-Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility235

Illustrations237

Cases of breaches of Rule 19(d)241

CHAPTER Ⅴ-LIGHTS,SOUND SIGNALS; AND EXEMPTIONS245

(i)LIGHTS AND SHAPES245

Rule 20-Application245

"No other lights" paragraph(b)246

Rule 21-Definitions246

Rule 22-Visibility of Lights247

Rule 23-Power-driven Vessels Underway248

Rule 24-Towing and Pushing248

Rule 25-Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels under Oars250

Rule 26-Fishing Vessels251

Rule 27-Vessels not under Command or Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre252

Rule 28-Vessels constrained by their Draught254

Rule 29-Pilot Vessels255

Rule 30-Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground255

Rule 31-Seaplanes257

(ii)SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS258

Rule 32-Definitions258

Rule 33-Equipment for Sound Signals258

Rule 34-Manoeuvring and Warning Signals258

Rule 35-Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility264

Rule 36-Signals to attract Attention267

Rule 37-Distress Signals267

(iii)EXEMPTIONS268

Rule 38-Exemptions268

CHAPTER Ⅵ-CIVIL LIABILITY OF THE MASTER AND THE SHIPOWNER269

(i)FAULT270

Meaning270

1.Elements of fault274

A.Duty to take care275

(a)The common duty of good seamanship275

(b) Statutory duties278

(c) Standard of care284

B.Breach of duty287

2.Illustrations288

Vessel at anchor288

Would it be a fault to rely on navigational aids?292

Relying on the chart293

The use of VHF295

Error in handling the information296

3.Inevitable Accident and Agony of the moment297

Inevitable accident297

Agony of the moment299

(ii)DAMAGES301

1.Division of damages301

2.Apportionment303

Revision of apportionment by the Court of Appeal307

3.Other Rules on Damages312

Remoteness312

Right of recovery against two negligent vessels313

Damages in foreign currency314

(iii)CAUSATION317

Causative and non-causative faults317

Concurrent Causes324

Break in the chain of causation324

(iv)THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY328

Historical background328

International conventions on limitation328

1.The 1924 Convention329

2.The 1957 Convention330

3.The 1976 Limitation Convention335

CHAPTER Ⅶ-LIABILITY OF OTHER PERSONS339

(i)LIABILITY OF THE PILOT339

Duties340

Liability343

(ii)LIABILITY OF THE TUGMASTER AND THE TUGOWNER346

Duties of the Tug and Tow349

The contractual liability354

The U.K.Standard Conditions for Towage,1983354

(iii)LIABILITY OF THE HARBOUR MASTER359

Duties359

Liability359

The IMO draft convention on wreck removal363

(iv)THE LIABILITY OF THE CONTROLLER OF THE VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES(VTS)367

Duties367

Liability369

(v)LIABILITY OF THE CHARTMAKER372

Duties374

Liability375

Main rule379

Subsidiary rules379

Burden of proof380

Liability for defects in the electronic chart381

CHAPTER Ⅷ-RELATED CLAIMS383

(i)POLLUTION384

1.Claims for oil pollution damage and the cost of preventive measures385

The Civil Liability Convention(CLC),1969 as amended by the 1984 Protocol385

The scope of application of the CLC385

Persons liable and the basis of liability389

Exceptions from liability389

Limitation and amounts of liability390

The Fund Convention,1971,as amended by the 1984 Protocol392

Voluntary schemes:Tovalop and Cristal396

2.Claims for damage caused by noxious liquid substances and liquefied gas397

Efforts to formulate international rules399

(ii)THE SALVOR'S AWARD401

1.Conditions of an award401

2.Negligence of the salvor405

3.Assessment of the award407

4.Contractual salvage410

Analysis of the LOF 80411

(iii)GENERAL AVERAGE418

1.Conditions419

2.Adjustment of general average contribution421

3.Security423

(iv)PERSONAL INJURY426

1.Seafarers and other persons426

Common law426

The tort of negligence428

Measure of damages429

Liability and compensation Acts430

The Occupiers' Liability Act,1957431

The Employers' Liability(Compulsory Insurance) Act,1969433

The Employers' Liability(Defective Equipment) Act,1969434

2.Passengers437

The Athens Convention,1974437

Carriage of Passengers under English Law440

(v)DAMAGE TO THE SHIP AND CARGO:THE INSURANCE ASPECT444

1.Damage to the ship444

Collision liability to the other ship446

A wrecked ship449

2.Damage to the cargo457

The "both to blame collision" clause458

CHAPTER IX-CRIMINAL LIABILITY461

(i)GENERAL PRINCIPLES461

Elements of a crime462

Mens Rea462

Actus Reus466

Offences of strict liability467

(ii)VICARIOUS LIABILITY468

(iii)DEFENCES472

Mistake472

Intoxication by drink and by drugs473

Necessity474

Superior orders475

(iv)PARTICULAR OFFENCES476

1.Failure to observe the Collision Rules or the traffic separation schemes478

2.Failure to assist vessels in distress479

3.Displaying the wrong signal480

4.Failure to render assistance following a collision480

5.Failure to report the collision incident or to make an entry in the official log book481

(v)THE JURISDICTIONAL ZONES483

Territorial waters483

High seas484

(vi)INVESTIGATION OF THE COLLISION INCIDENT487

Formal Investigation488

Re-hearing490

Prohibition or Improvement Notices492

CHAPTER Ⅹ-THE ADMIRALTY COURT495

(i)JURISDICTION495

1.The List of Maritime Claims496

2.The exercise of jurisdiction500

Action in rem500

Action in personam501

Maritime lien503

The advantage of a lien504

3.Choice of law505

Collision in internal and territorial waters505

Collision on the high seas506

Collision in foreign waters507

(ii)REMEDIES:ARREST AND MAREVA INJUNCTION509

1.Arrest of the vessel509

Arrest under the Supreme Court Act,1981512

Once the arrested ship is released,she could not be rearrested513

Arrest in the execution of a foreign judgment515

Arrest to provide security for a claim submitted to arbitration516

Warrant of arrest517

Expenses of arrest518

2.The Mareva Injunction518

(iii)EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE522

1.Evidence523

The use of simulation525

Evidence and the burden of proof526

Inference527

Res ipsa loquitor528

Issue of estoppel per rem judicatam529

2.State-owned trading ships530

3.Nautical Assessors532

The opinion of the assessors533

Qualifications of assessors535

4.Staying the English proceedings536

Consolidation541

Costs543

5.Limitation of liability and of time543

Appendix Ⅰ-The Collision Rules,1972,as amended in 1981547

Appendix Ⅱ-List of the States Parties to the Collision Rules557

Appendix Ⅲ-Operational Guidance for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch561

Appendix Ⅳ-Guidelines on Navigation Bridge Visibility567

Appendix Ⅴ-Training in the use of ARPA569

Appendix Ⅵ-The Brussels Collision Convention,1910574

Appendix Ⅶ-The Civil Jurisdiction Convention,1952578

Appendix Ⅷ-The Penal Jurisdiction Convention,1952581

Appendix Ⅸ-Arrest of Ships Convention,1952583

Appendix Ⅹ-The Supreme Court Act,1981589

Appendix Ⅺ-An example of the Preliminary Act in a collision action592

Index595