Collision Regulations

Collision Regulations · Canadian waters, in English: the International Rules with Canada's own changes.

The Collision Regulations, the rules for every boat in Canadian waters and Canadian vessels anywhere: the International Rules with Canada's own changes, headed Canadian Modification, last amended on 7 June 2023. Reproduced from the Justice Laws Website, in English. This is not the official version. The same rules in French are the Règlement sur les abordages; both languages are official.

Official text: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca ›

Start here

• Rule 2 Responsibility
• Rule 5 Look-out
• Rule 6 Safe Speed
• Rule 7 Risk of Collision
• Rule 8 Action to avoid Collision
• Rule 9 Narrow Channels
• Rule 12 Sailing Vessels
• Rule 13 Overtaking
• Rule 14 Head-on Situation
• Rule 15 Crossing Situation
• Rule 16 Action by Give-way Vessel
• Rule 17 Action by Stand-on Vessel
• Rule 18 Responsibilities between Vessels
• Rule 19 Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
• Rule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars
• Rule 34 Manoeuvring and Warning Signals
• Rule 35 Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility
• Rule 40 Radar Reflectors
• Annex IV Distress signals — international

Contents

Regulations · Sections 1 to 8

• Section 1 Interpretation
• Section 2 Prohibition
• Section 3 Application
• Section 4 Compliance
• Section 5 Proof of Compliance — Lights, Shapes, Sound-signalling Appliances and Radar Reflectors
• Section 6 Standards — Lights, Shapes, Sound-signalling Appliances and Radar Reflectors
• Section 7 Notices to Mariners and Navigational Warnings

Part A · General

• Rule 1 Application
• Rule 2 Responsibility
• Rule 3 General Definitions

Part B · Steering and sailing rules

• Section I Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility
  • Rule 4 Application
  • Rule 5 Look-out
  • Rule 6 Safe Speed
  • Rule 7 Risk of Collision
  • Rule 8 Action to avoid Collision
  • Rule 9 Narrow Channels
  • Rule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes
• Section II Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
  • Rule 11 Application
  • Rule 12 Sailing Vessels
  • Rule 13 Overtaking
  • Rule 14 Head-on Situation
  • Rule 15 Crossing Situation
  • Rule 16 Action by Give-way Vessel
  • Rule 17 Action by Stand-on Vessel
  • Rule 18 Responsibilities between Vessels
• Section III Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility
  • Rule 19 Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

Part C · Lights and shapes

• Rule 20 Application
• Rule 21 Definitions
• Rule 22 Visibility of Lights
• Rule 23 Power-driven Vessels Underway
• Rule 24 Towing and Pushing
• Rule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars
• Rule 26 Fishing Vessels
• Rule 27 Vessels not under Command or Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre
• Rule 28 Vessels Constrained by their Draught
• Rule 29 Pilot Vessels
• Rule 30 Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
• Rule 31 Seaplanes

Part D · Sound and light signals

• Rule 32 Definitions
• Rule 33 Equipment for Sound Signals
• Rule 34 Manoeuvring and Warning Signals
• Rule 35 Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility
• Rule 36 Signals to attract Attention
• Rule 37 Distress Signals

Part E · Exemptions

• Rule 38 Exemptions

Part F · Additional Canadian provisions

• Rule 39 Special Signals for Dangerous Goods
• Rule 40 Radar Reflectors
• Rule 41 Transponders
• Rule 42 Additional Requirements for Exploration or Exploitation Vessels
• Rule 43 Safety Zones Around Exploration or Exploitation Vessels
• Rule 44 Ocean Data Acquisition Systems (ODAS)
• Rule 45 Blue Flashing Light
• Rule 46 Alternate System of Navigation Lights

Annexes

• Annex I Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes
  • Section 1 Definition — International
  • Section 2 Vertical positioning and spacing of lights — International
  • Section 3 Horizontal Positioning and Spacing of Lights — International
  • Section 4 Details of location of direction-indicating lights for fishing vessels, dredgers and vessels engaged in underwater operations
  • Section 5 Screens for Sidelights — International
  • Section 5.1 Screens for Lights Other than Sidelights — Canadian Modification
  • Section 6 Shapes
  • Section 7 Colour Specification of Lights — International
  • Section 8 Intensity of lights — International
  • Section 9 Horizontal Sectors — International
  • Section 10 Vertical Sectors — International
  • Section 11 Intensity of non-electric lights
  • Section 12 Manoeuvring Light — International
  • Section 13 High-speed Craft
  • Section 14 Approval — International
  • Additional Canadian Provision
    • Section 15 Electrical Power Supply
• Annex II Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity — international
  • Section 1 General
  • Section 2 Signals for trawlers
  • Section 3 Signals for purse seiners
  • Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity — Canadian Modifications
    • Section 4 Special visual signals
    • Section 5 Special sound signals
• Annex III Technical details of sound signal appliances
  • Section 1 Whistles — International
  • Section 2 Bell or gong
  • Section 3 Approval — International
• Annex IV Distress signals — international
  • Distress Signals — Canadian Modifications

Reproduced from the Justice Laws Website under the Reproduction of Federal Law Order. This is not the official version of the Collision Regulations: the official version is on laws-lois.justice.gc.ca.