Rule 1 Application

Application — International

(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.

(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special rules made by an appropriate authority for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes or inland waterways connected with the high seas and navigable by sea-going vessels if such special rules conform as closely as possible to these Rules.

(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the government of any state with respect to additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or with respect to additional station or signal lights or shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as a fleet. These additional station or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape or signal authorized elsewhere under these Rules.

(d) Traffic separation schemes may be adopted by the Organization for the purpose of these Rules.

(e) Where the Government concerned determines that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, the vessel shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances as the Government determines to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect of that vessel.

Application — Canadian Modification

(f) Any determination referred to in paragraph (e) in respect of a Canadian vessel or Canadian pleasure craft shall be made by the Minister.

(g) Each determination referred to in paragraph (e) shall be evaluated to ensure that there will be no reduction in safety taking into account such factors as the following:

(i) in the case of lights,

(A) any impairment of the visibility or distinctive character of the lights,

(B) glare or back-scatter in the navigation or working areas,

(C) vulnerability of the lights to damage, or

(D) difficult or dangerous access to the lights for maintenance purposes, and

(ii) in the case of sound-signalling appliances,

(A) any impairment of audibility or other characteristics of the sound-signalling appliances,

(B) excessive sound pressure levels at listening posts or in navigation or working areas,

(C) vulnerability of the sound-signalling appliances to damage, or

(D) difficult or dangerous access to the sound-signalling appliances for maintenance purposes.