COLREG 72 Amendments

The 1981 amendments
Adoption: 19 November 1981
Entry into force: 1 June 1983

A number of rules are affected but perhaps the most important change concerns rule 10, which has been amended to enable vessels carrying out various safety operations, such as dredging or surveying, to carry out these functions in traffic separation schemes.

The 1987 amendments
Adoption: 19 November 1987
Entry into force: 19 November 1989

The amendments affect several rules, including rule 1(e) ? vessels of special construction: the amendment classifies the application of the Convention to such ships; Rule 3(h), which defines a vessel constrained by her draught; Rule 10(c) ? crossing traffic lanes.

The 1989 amendments
Adoption: 19 October 1989
Entry into force: 19 April 1991

The amendment concerns Rule 10 and is designed to stop unnecessary use of the inshore traffic zone.

The 1993 amendments
Adoption: 4 November 1993
Entry into force: 4 November 1995

The amendments are mostly concerned with the positioning of lights.

The 2001 amendments
Adoption: 29 November 2001
Entry into force: 29 November 2003

The amendments include new rules relating to Wing-in Ground (WIG) craft. The following are amended:

• General Definitions (Rule 3) - to provide the definition of wing-in-ground (WIG) craft;
  
• Action to avoid collision (Rule 8 (a)) - to make it clear that any action to avoid collision should be taken in accordance with the relevant rules in the COLREGs and to link Rule 8 with the other steering and sailing rules;
• Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18) - to include a requirement that a WIG craft, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, shall keep clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation and also that a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules as for a power-driven vessel;
• Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23) - to include a requirement that WIG craft shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph 23 (a) of the Rule, exhibit a high-intensity all-round flashing red light when taking off, landing and in-flight near the surface;
  Seaplanes (Rule 31) - to include a provision for WIG craft;
• Equipment for sound signals and sound signals in restricted visibility (Rules 33 and 35) - to cater for small vessels;
• Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes (Annex I) - amendments with respect to high-speed craft (relating to the vertical separation of masthead lights); and
  Technical details of sound signal appliances (Annex III) - amendments with respect to whistles and bell or gong to cater for small vessels.