Rule 6 Safe Speed

Safe Speed — International

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:

(a) By all vessels:

(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 back scatter 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.

(b) Additionally, by vessels with operational radar:

(i) the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment,

(ii) any constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use,

(iii) the effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather and other sources of interference,

(iv) the possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range,

(v) the number, location and movement of vessels detected by radar,

(vi) the more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.

Safe Speed — Canadian Modifications

(c) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, every vessel passing another vessel or work that includes a dredge, tow, grounded vessel or wreck shall proceed with caution at a speed that will not adversely affect the vessel or work being passed, and shall comply with any relevant instruction or direction contained in any Notice to Mariners or Navigational Warning.

(d) For the purpose of paragraph (c), where it cannot be determined with certainty that a passing vessel will not adversely affect another vessel or work described in that paragraph, the passing vessel shall proceed with caution at the minimum speed at which she can be kept on her course.

(e) [Repealed, SOR/2008-272, s. 10]