ROR - Rule 9 Narrow Channels

Section I – Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility


Rule 9 - Narrow Channels

(i) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the other limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

(ii) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

(iii) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.

(iv) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

(v) (i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only 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 by 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 of her obligation under Rule 13.

(vi) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessel may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).

(vii) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.



Questions & Answers

Q1. What side of the narrow channel would you keep?
A1.The starboard side of the narrow channel as long as your vessel is in safe water.

Q2. What would you sound to overtake a vessels starboard side?
A2. (Morse "G") (2 prolonged blasts followed by 1 short blast on the whistle

Q3. What would you sound to overtake a vessels port side?
A3. (Morse "Z")(2 prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts on the whistle)

Q4. What would you sound if you agree to be overtaken in a narrow channel?
A4. (Morse "C")(1 prolonged, 1 short, 1 prolonged, 1 short blast on the whistle)

Q5. What would you sound if you disagree to be overtaken in a narrow channel?
A5. (5 or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle)

Q6. What would you sound coming up to a bend in a narrow channel?
A6. (1 prolonged blast on the whistle)

Q7. If there is another vessel coming around the bend and he heard your warning signal, what would he sound?
A7. (1 prolonged blast on the whistle to let you know he is there)

Q8. What 3 vessels do not impede any other vessels using a narrow channel?
A8. A fishing vessel, sailing vessel and vessels under 20 metres

Q9. Are you allowed to cross a narrow channel?
A9. Yes, as long as you do not impede any vessel using the narrow channel

Q10. If you where in a narrow channel, and there is a vessel crossing a narrow channel, what would you sound to get him to stop and let you pass?
A10. Five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle to indicate that your unsure of his intentions.



Q11. Define the term "narrow channel" or "fairway"?
A11. Narrow channel:


       Channel limited by buoys 


       Channel 2 or 3 miles wide

       The bed of a river

       The deeper part of a river, harbour


       An approach to harbour


Q12. Where should vessel navigate in narrow channel or fairway?
A12. Navigation in narrow channel or fairway:

       Near outer limit on starboard side

       As is safe and practicable 


Q13. To what type of vessels does Rule 9, narrow channel apply?
A13. Applies to all vessels: 

       Power-driven vessels and sailing vessels


Q14. Which precautionary steps can you take if without apparent reason an incoming vessel does not keep to the starboard of the channel or fairway or navigates on the wrong side?
A14. Oncoming vessel does not keep to starboard: 

       Give warning signal

       Keep to starboard as is safe and practicable

       Reduce speed

       Take all way off


Q15. When is a vessel allowed to move away from the starboard side of the narrow channel or fairway?
A15. Move away from the starboard side is allowed:

        When the draught makes it necessary

        In case of bank suction

        For obstacles on the starboard side

        Vessel aground

        Vessel at anchor

        Vessels engaged in certain operations

        To join another fairway

        To call at a harbour


Q16. Which vessel is not allowed to impede the passage of the vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?


A16. Not allowed to impede the passage

       Vessels of less than 20 m

       Sailing vessels

Q17. Are fishing vessel allowed to impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway?
A17. Not allowed to impede the passage:

Fishing vessels


For any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway

Fishing vessels may fish in an narrow channel or fairway but they may NOT impede the passage of vessels navigating within a narrow channel or fairway


Q18. Is a vessel allowed crossing a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impede the safe passage the vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway?
A18. Crossing a narrow channel or fairway:

       Vessels shall NOT cross a narrow channel or fairway



Narrow Channels Situations

Q1. You're in a Power-driven vessel doing 5 knots and ahead of you is a vessel doing 3 knots, what will you do?
A1. Make the sound signal for overtaking the vessel ahead of you.

Q2. What is the sound signal you would make if you want to pass his port-side and what is the sound signal to port pass his starboard side?
A2. To pass his port-side you would sound Morse "Z" which is 2 prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts on the ships whistle
To pass his starboard-side you would sound Morse "G" which is 2 prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the ships whistle


Q3. What would you expect the overtaking vessel to sound after you gave him your overtaking signal?
A3. He should sound Morse "C" which is 1 prolonged blast followed by 1 short blast followed by 1 prolonged blast followed by 1 short blast on the ships whistle; this means he agrees to be overtaken 



Q4. He has not given you the sound signal that he agrees to be overtaken; what will you do now?
A4. Slow your vessel down to the same speed that his is doing and give him the overtaking sound signal again

Q5. The vessel your about to overtake still has not gave you his sound signal to agree to be overtaken - is there any other signal he can give you?
A5. Yes he can give you the International code of signals - flag "Charlie" - which means - I agree

   

Q6. The vessel being overtaken has given you permission to overtake him and now your abeam of him - are you an overtaking vessel or a crossing vessel?
A6. Once you make yourself an overtaking vessel you remain an overtaking vessel until well past and clear of the vessel being overtaken.

Q7. What's deemed/classed as an overtaking vessel?
A7. Coming up on another vessel MORE than 22.5o abaft the beam of the vessel being overtaken 



Q8. You have passed the vessel your overtaking, your about a mile past him, can you alter course now?
A8. As a Rule Of Thumb, Make a Close Quarter Situation 4 miles out in the open sea, so No this is not enough distance clear of the vessel being overtaking

Q9. What light will you see at night-time if your overtaking another vessel?
A9. The sternlight of the vessel being overtaken and no sidelights.
 

Q10. You're coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam - are you a crossing vessel or an overtaking vessel?
A10. You'd be a crossing vessel - the word "MORE" is missing

Q11. Coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam - what light will you see at night?
A11. One of the sidelights - you will not see a sternlight - you have to be MORE than 22.50 abaft the beam to see a sternlight.
 

Q12. Your overtaking another vessel, your vessel is sheering, one minute you see a sternlight then a sidelight then a sternlight then a sidelight, are you a crossing or overtaking vessel?
A12. If in doubt you make yourself an overtaking vessel and go around the stern of the vessel your overtaking.

Q13. You're overtaking another vessel, when can you become a crossing vessel?
A13. Once your well passed and clear (at least 4 miles).
 

Q14. A vessel Not Under Command is overtaking you, will you stand-on or give way to this vessel, he is having major problems steering?
A14. He is duty bound to keep clear of you, so you will stand-on with caution (BE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH THIS VESSEL OVERTAKING YOU) keep taking compass/radar and visual bearings of him constantly

Q15.  You're in a power-driven vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
A15. Stand-on with caution, maintaining your course and speed - the above vessel is constrained by her draught and she should be going at a speed that she can stop and stay in the deepest water available.
 

Q16. You're in a sailing vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
A16. Stand-on with caution, maintaining your course and speed - any vessel overtaking any other shall keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken.


Q18. You're in a fishing vessel in a traffic lane and any vessel is overtaking you, what are you going to do?
A18. Stand-on with Caution maintaining your course and speed (You're using Rule 13 Overtaking just now - Rules 10 does not exist whilst being overtaken - when the vessel overtaking you is well past and clear then you go back to Rule 10 Traffic Separation Scheme).

 Q19. In restricted visibility, your overtaking another vessel, will you stand-on or give way?
A19. There are no Stand-on Vessels in Restricted visibility - Rule 19 part (a) says
"This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility" In other words "No Stand-on Vessels".


Tips:

If overtaking a vessel in clear or restricted visibility - take the shortest possible route and go around the vessel being overtaken stern so you can get back onto your original course quicker as long as you have plenty of sea room.

You're a crossing vessel when coming up on a vessel at 22.5o abaft the beam
 You need to be MORE than 22.5o abaft the beam to be overtaking.

The situation above with the International code of signals Code flag "C" has caught a lot of personnel out as it is not in Rule 9 or Rule 34.