General Definitions.
For the purpose of these rules, except where the content 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 notbeing used.
(d) The term “Vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restricts manoeuvrability, but not a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which does 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 circumstances is unable to manoeuvre as required by the 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 are not 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; (Probably this is the only situation which may affect normal merchant ship while picking up stores in some starits)
(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. (This is rare situation for merchant ship)
(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. (This part is talking about deviation only and NOT SPEED, ship can always reduce speed)
(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.
(l) The term “Restricted visibility” means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar cause.
(m) The term “Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft” means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action. (Note that there is difference between a sea plane and WIG)
Here we have the official explanations of terms used within the Regulations, which are in the main self-explanatory.The word ‘vessel’ is used rather often, and it is important to understand that this means all types of boat, seaplane and ship, large or small.
It is important to carefully read each definition, with regard to how the words are used. For example, any vessel can be Not Under Command (NUC) because the definition is that of “a vessel”. However, a vessel Constrained by her Draught can only ever be a power driven vessel and no other type, due again, to the definition given within this Rule.
Two terms that are not included under this Rule but are important to remember, are ‘give-way vessel’ and ‘stand-on vessel’. The meaning of the first is easiest to understand, being the craft which, in a potential collision situation, has to give way to the other; the second is the one which should, when the circumstances of the case admit, hold her course and speed. These terms are visited at a later stage of these notes.
This rule also introduces a new craft type, namely WIG craft.
Above are some photographs of these, and as you can see, they appear to be basically aeroplanes that fly close to the water’s surface.The difference between these and seaplanes is that a seaplane could eventually climb to altitude whereas WIG craft only ever remain in close proximity top the surface. So in a way they are like non-displacement crafts (Hydrofoil and hovercraft).
You must be logged in to post a comment.