Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)
Historical close-quarters events between piloted vessels (particularly those involved overtaking situations in Torres Strait) reflect that a lack of communication between vessels in close proximity can lead to uncertainty and increase the potential for an incident.
Vessels altering course and/or speed in close proximity to another, especially in the context of overtaking, should give a courtesy call on VHF radio before the manoeuvre to confirm that the other vessel is aware of your intentions and to confirm that it is safe to proceed.
When overtaking, pilots should also be particularly mindful of not reducing speed too soon after conducting the overtaking manoeuvre.
Pilots are reminded that the final arbiter to determine appropriate action in any situation is the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions At Sea, 1972 (COLREGS). This applies equally to the overtaking vessel and the vessel being overtaken.
Pilots are reminded of the following requirements and obligations relevant to manoeuvring and overtaking, excerpted from the COLREGS:
(i) in a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can only take place if the vessel to be overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(ii) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt, she may sound the signals prescribed in Rule 34(d).
(ii) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the other vessel she is overtaking, that at night, she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.
(d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.
When in sight of another in a narrow channel or fairway:
(i) a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9(e)(i) indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle:
(ii) the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance with Rule 9(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her whistle:
When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented at night by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes.
All vessels involved in an overtaking situation should act in accordance with the COLREGS as required by the circumstances of the case. AMSA reminds all coastal pilots that COLREGS must be followed at all times in accordance with the licence conditions detailed in Marine Order 54 (Coastal pilotage).