COLREGS Rule 2: Here is the Simple Explanation to the Most Confusing Rule

Collision regulations are the bible for the navigators. This is the area onboard that do not distinguish between a fresh third mate and an experienced captain. Everyone who is supposed to keep an independent navigational watch on wheelhouse is supposed to have the same level of understanding of each rule of the road. The problem is that the rules of the road though carefully drafted; have not been written in an easy language that everyone can understand. There is a lot of scope to read between the lines. For example, While there is a rule on the narrow channel the definition of narrow channel is left to the interpretation of the seafarers. Rule 2 of the COLREGS (Responsibility) is one such rule. In this post, we will discuss the rule 2 of the COLREGS. Why Rule 2 was required? Some cooks do not like to be told how to cook food on ships. Once upon a time, someone on a ship told the chief cook that his food, though very good always have a little bit of extra salt. Next day onwards he found the food with absolutely no salt in it. Rule 2 of the COLREGS aims to avoid a similar situation with the collision regulations. Each rule of the COLREGS has specified the exact actions that need to be taken by each vessel on a collision course. But what if some seafarers followed th...