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Jaakko Heikkilä

In this course you will learn the international rules for navigation, the so-called COLREGs (collision regulations). The course will explain rule-by-rule what the regulations are about. The course will go through a brief history of the COLREGs, as well as rules regarding sailing and steering, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. Where needed, the rules will be explained with illustrations. After each section, there is a multiple choice quiz, where you can test your knowledge. The course is suitable for any boater or sailor, who wants to know what the collision regulations are about.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

After completing this lecture the students know what the course is about, what it consists of, and why it is important.

After completing this lecture the students know the basic English terms that they need to understand the Convention

Read more

After completing this lecture the students have a clear overview of what the COLREGs are, what is the their aim and what is the history of the Convention.

After completing this lecture the students know how the COLREGs are structured.

Part A: General

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 1 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 2 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 3 in COLREGs

The quiz tests the knowledge on COLREGs Part A

Part B: Steering and Sailing

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 4 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 5 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 6 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 7 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 8 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 9 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 10 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 11 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 12 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 13 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 14 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 15 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 16 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 17 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 18 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 19 in COLREGs

The quiz tests the knowledge on COLREGs Part B

Part C: Lights and Shapes

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 20 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 21 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 22 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 23 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 24 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 25 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 26 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 27 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 28 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 29 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 30 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 31 in COLREGs

The quiz tests the knowledge on COLREGs Part C

Part D: Sound and Light Signals

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 32 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 33 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 34 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 35 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 36 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 37 in COLREGs

The quiz tests the knowledge on COLREGs Part D

Part E: Exemptions

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 38 in COLREGs

Part F: Verification of Compliance

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 39 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 40 in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Rule 41 in COLREGs

Annexes

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Annex I in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Annex II in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Annex III in COLREGs

After completing this lecture the students know the content of Annex IV in COLREGs

Wrapping up

After completing this lecture the students have a clear summarised views of the Convention

After completing this lecture, the students have a clear overview of the Convention and the course they have just taken.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mastering COLREGs | Marine navigation rules with these activities:
Review 'Farwell's Rules of the Nautical Road'
Familiarize yourself with a comprehensive guide to the COLREGs to gain a deeper understanding of the rules and their practical application.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Farwell's Rules of the Nautical Road'.
  • Read the sections relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key concepts and interpretations.
Review Basic Navigation Principles
Refresh your understanding of basic navigation principles to provide a solid foundation for learning the COLREGs.
Browse courses on Navigation
Show steps
  • Review charts and chart symbols.
  • Practice plotting courses and bearings.
  • Familiarize yourself with navigational instruments.
Create Flashcards for COLREGs Rules
Create flashcards to memorize and reinforce your understanding of the specific rules within the COLREGs.
Show steps
  • Create flashcards for each rule in the COLREGs.
  • Include a brief description or diagram on each card.
  • Review the flashcards regularly.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Simulate Encounter Scenarios
Practice applying the COLREGs in simulated encounter scenarios to improve your decision-making skills.
Show steps
  • Use online simulators or create your own scenarios.
  • Identify the vessels involved and their relative positions.
  • Determine the applicable rules and take appropriate action.
Review 'International Code of Signals'
Study the International Code of Signals to enhance your understanding of maritime communication, which complements the COLREGs.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the 'International Code of Signals'.
  • Familiarize yourself with the different signal flags and their meanings.
  • Learn the procedures for using the code to communicate with other vessels.
Create a COLREGs Cheat Sheet
Compile a concise cheat sheet summarizing the key rules and regulations from the COLREGs for quick reference.
Show steps
  • Identify the most important rules and regulations.
  • Summarize each rule in a clear and concise manner.
  • Organize the cheat sheet for easy access and reference.
Answer Questions in Online Forums
Reinforce your understanding of the COLREGs by helping others learn the material and answering their questions in online forums.
Show steps
  • Find online forums related to maritime navigation and the COLREGs.
  • Monitor the forums for questions from other students.
  • Provide clear and accurate answers to the questions.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering COLREGs | Marine navigation rules will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Ship Captain
A ship captain oversees all operations onboard a vessel, ensuring safe navigation and adherence to maritime regulations. This role demands a thorough understanding of international navigation rules. The Mastering COLREGs course directly helps individuals aspiring to be ship captains by providing a comprehensive understanding of the collision regulations. By explaining rule-by-rule about regulations, the course helps build a strong familiarity with steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals, which are crucial for safe and compliant navigation. The multiple choice quizzes after each section further reinforce learning, ensuring the captain is well-versed in COLREGs.
Recreational Boater
Recreational boaters operate small boats for leisure activities. They are responsible for understanding navigation rules to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the water. For a recreational boater, the course explains rule-by-rule what the regulations are about. The boater can learn more about sailing and steering rules, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals ensuring they can have some safe fun on the water.
Pilot
Pilots guide ships through harbors and channels, using their knowledge of local conditions and navigation rules to ensure safe passage. This role requires exceptional expertise in COLREGs and maritime safety. Learning the international rules for navigation and collision regulations helps build a very strong foundation for pilots. The course explains the regulations and covers sailing and steering, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. The illustrations and quizzes also ensure the individuals have a solid understanding of the material.
Navigation Officer
A navigation officer assists the ship captain in planning and executing voyages, ensuring the vessel stays on course and avoids hazards. This role demands expertise in navigation rules and collision avoidance. The Mastering COLREGs course offers a deep dive into the international rules for navigation. The course explains rule-by-rule what the regulations are about and covers steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. The quizzes at the end of each section ensures a strong understanding, which is crucial for effective navigation and collision avoidance.
Sailboat Instructor
A sailboat instructor teaches individuals how to sail, covering topics such as boat handling, navigation, and safety procedures. A sailboat instructor should be intimately familiar with navigation rules to effectively educate students. Mastering COLREGs provides aspiring instructors with a comprehensive understanding of the collision regulations. The course explains regulations and encompasses rules on sailing and steering, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals, which are crucial for safe sailing. The quizzes will assess the knowledge.
Coast Guard Officer
A Coast Guard officer enforces maritime laws and regulations, conducts search and rescue operations, and ensures the safety of waterways. They must have a thorough knowledge of navigation rules and safety protocols. This course explores the international rules for navigation and explains rule-by-rule what the regulations are about. With an understanding about rules regarding sailing and steering, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals, the Coast Guard Officer is better prepared to enforce regulations.
Ferry Operator
Ferry operators are responsible for the safe transportation of passengers and vehicles across waterways. They must ensure compliance with navigation rules and prioritize passenger safety. Mastering COLREGs helps ferry operators understand the international navigation rules. The course explains the regulations and covers rules regarding sailing and steering, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. This knowledge is essential for safe navigation and passenger safety.
Marine Surveyor
A marine surveyor inspects vessels to assess their condition, safety, and compliance with regulations. They often investigate accidents and provide expert opinions. For a marine serveyor, a strong grasp of international navigation rules is vital. This course on Mastering COLREGS can be useful, because it explains the international rules for navigation. Learning about the rules regarding steering and sailing, lights and shapes, and visual signals will expand the knowledge base of a marine surveyor.
Port Authority Officer
Port authority officers manage the operations within a port, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels. This requires a strong understanding of maritime regulations and navigation rules. Mastering COLREGs will greatly benefit aspiring port authority officers. The course explains what the regulations are about. The course builds familiarity with sailing and steering rules, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. The quizzes can test knowledge and prepare learners for real-world scenarios.
Fishing Vessel Operator
Fishing vessel operators manage the operations of fishing boats, ensuring compliance with fishing regulations and safe navigation. They must understand navigation rules to avoid collisions and navigate effectively. This course explains the international rules for navigation, along with the collision regulations. It explains the regulations and covers steering and sailing, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. The quizzes reinforce learning.
Maritime Lawyer
Maritime lawyers handle legal issues related to shipping, navigation, and maritime commerce. They advise clients on regulatory compliance and represent them in disputes. Maritime lawyers must have a solid understanding of maritime law, including the COLREGs. This course explores the international rules for navigation. For those aiming to specialize in maritime law, learning the intricacies of these rules would allow them to better advise clients and navigate legal challenges.
Yacht Captain
A yacht captain manages and operates a yacht, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. A yacht captain should have a thorough understanding of navigation rules and safety procedures. This course can be helpful to yacht captains, because it explains the international rules for navigation and covers steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, and sound and light signals. This is essential for safe operation.
Harbor Master
Harbor masters manage the day-to-day operations of a harbor, including vessel traffic and safety. They need a comprehensive grasp of maritime regulations. This course can be useful to harbor masters, because it provides an understanding of collision regulations. This course may help the harbor master be better prepared to safely manage the harbor.
Marine Engineer
Marine engineers are responsible for the maintenance and repair of vessels' mechanical and electrical systems. While their primary focus is on engineering, understanding navigation rules can enhance their awareness of vessel operations. This course may be useful to marine engineers, because it discusses international rules for navigation. Engineers can learn more about steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, and visual signals which are useful when troubleshooting technical marine problems.
Maritime Insurance Underwriter
Maritime insurance underwriters assess risks associated with shipping and maritime activities, determining insurance coverage and premiums. A course like this can be helpful to Maritime insurance underwriters. It covers international rules for navigation. It covers vessel operations and collision avoidance. This allows underwriters to better understand risks and assess insurance needs.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mastering COLREGs | Marine navigation rules.
Comprehensive guide to the rules of the road, providing detailed explanations and interpretations of the COLREGs. It is widely used by maritime professionals and students alike. It offers practical advice on how to apply the rules in real-world situations. This book serves as an excellent reference for understanding the nuances of collision avoidance.
Details the international standards for communicating at sea. It useful reference for understanding visual and auditory signals used in maritime navigation. While the COLREGs cover sound and light signals, this book provides a more comprehensive overview of all signaling methods. It valuable resource for any mariner.

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