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Determining a safe speed for all vessels

  • Rule(s) to be applied: Rule 6 (Safe speed )
  • Applying the Rule(s) and comments: In accordance with Rule 6 (Safe speed ), every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid a collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
    In accordance with Rule 6 (a) (Safe speed ), in determining a safe speed for all vessels the following factors shall be among those taken into account:
    (i) the state of visibility;
    (ii) the traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
    (iii) the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
    (iv) at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from backscatter of her own lights;
    (v) the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;
    (vi) the draught in relation to the available depth of water.
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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.