Collision avoidance

Collision avoidance is the practice of preventing close-quarters situations and collisions through compliance with the COLREGs, the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The rules set conduct in any visibility, lookout and safe speed, risk-of-collision assessment, and the give-way and stand-on responsibilities for crossing, head-on, and overtaking situations, with sound, light, and shape signals. Officers of the watch apply systematic observation, radar plotting, and ARPA to determine CPA and TCPA, then take early and substantial action that is readily apparent. Breach of the COLREGs is a primary finding in collision casualty investigations and a watchkeeping competence assessed under STCW.