Collision course

A course of a moving vessel that, if it continues unchanged, will lead to a collision.

In broad terms, if you see a ship for five minutes at the very same bearing, you are on a collision course with that ship!

The term sailing vessel applies only to a marine vessel if it is not using mechanical propulsion at all. If the vessel is using a combination of mechanical power and sails, it is classified as a power driven vessel and does not come within the definition of a sailing vessel.

Action to Avoid Collision

Actions taken to avoid collision should be positive, obvious and made in good time!

!!! Never alter your course towards the other vessel!!!

When taking action to avoid collision you can do one of the following:

1. Make an early and bold alteration of course

2. Slow your yacht down

3. Stop your yacht or

4. Come astern with your yacht

If you are going to make an alteration of your course make sure it’s an early and bold alteration as long as you have plenty sea room

Every alteration must be big enough so the other vessel can see it on his radar

A series of small alterations should be avoided

When making an alteration of your yacht’s course, make sure you don’t place it into a close quarter situation/risk of collision with another vessel

If you are ever in doubt of what to do, the best thing is stop your vessel until the risk of collision is past. This offers you more time to realize the situation and decide what you can do.

After making an alteration of course, take more bearings to make sure the risk of collision/close quarter situation is past