Transcript for COLREGs video

Time now to look at the rules of the road and how they apply to us when we are in our boat, now Marty we are here in the port of Melbourne which is one of the busiest waterways anywhere in the country.

So busy, Nick, that it's got its own control tower to make sure ships don't run into each other, but when we're out there on the water by ourselves, there's no one out there looking over us so it's important to know the collision regulations.

V/O – Boating in Victoria is a great past time and with almost 200,000 registered boats and 390,000 marine licence holders in the state,  it's little wonder some waterways can become busy and congested, especially on warm summer day.

To ensure all boats are safe, if you are the master of a vessel, it's your responsibility to know the collision regulations which are internationally recognised set of guidelines.

The collision regulations are designed to ensure vessels maintain a safe speed and to ensure vessels interact in a way that prevents collisions from happening on the water.

HEADING (GRAPHIC): KEEPING A PROPER LOOK OUT

V/O – The first of the collision regulations states a skipper must keep a proper look out at all times.

It's really important that you keep a proper look out, and that's using all available senses. So obviously sight. You're hearing if you are hearing any horn signals that might mean someone is unclear on your intentions and you can use other people on the boat as well if they are in position they can keep a look out and tell you if they see something as well.

You're keeping a proper look out for anything. That could be a boat, a channel marker, it could be something floating in the water. So it's imperative you keep a proper look out.

V/O – You can also use your boats electronics such as radar or sounder to help keep a lookout, and remember it pays for everyone on board, not just the skipper to keep an eye out and speak up if they see anything.

HEADING (GRAPHIC): OPERATE AT A SAFE SPEED

V/O – The next regulation is to operate your vessel safely, meaning keeping to a speed which is suitable for the conditions.

What we class as safe speed is just using your common sense. You need to make sure if there is a risk of collision you are going to be able to stop that boat in time, so if you're going too fast there's no chance you're going to be able to stop in time.

V/O – Keeping a safe speed is particularly important at times of heightened risk, such as when boating in low visibility or at night.

Now if you're up on the plane and you're doing 30 knots, you've really got to ask yourself is that a safe speed. You could come across a vessel that is sitting there without navigation lights on, can you avoid that vessel. So safe speed is to back it off.

HEADING (GRAPHIC) : ACTIONS TO AVOID COLLSION

V/O – There's a simple rule to remember when navigating out on the water.

Always give way to your right or starboard side.

V/O - Let's start with two power driven vessels crossing each other's path… remembering the golden rule to give way to starboard.

If there's a situation where you are travelling along and you've picked up a vessel that is crossing your path let's call it, from your right hand side or your starboard hand side and you have determined that a collision is imminent you need to alter course. You need to alter course to starboard, alter course to right. You can slow down, you can even stop but you need to make a decision and in that scenario there where he is on your right hand side, your starboard side you are giving way to him.

V/O – In a situation when two vessels are approaching head on, the same rule applies.

So in a situation when two boats are approaching head on. Go Right. Alter course to starboard. It's the same in every situation. Go hard, go early.

V/O – Narrow channels are another area where boats can come together, once again keep right.

When operating on a narrow channel… you've got to make sure you know which side of the channel to operate on, so you've got to make sure you operate on the right hand side whichever way you travel and in the head on situation always alter course to starboard.

The regulations also state that even if you are not the give way vessel and you are in the right, you've got to do everything you can to avoid a collision.

V/O – And remember power always gives way to sail.