Every week, we present you with a question about your boating license. To help you validate your knowledge, or to discover new and unexplored areas. This week, we take a look at a question on the rules of the road.
RIPAM as a justice of the peace
Navigation in a channel is regulated by RIPAM, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Rule 9 of these stipulates that a ship must not cross a narrow channel or an access channel if, in so doing, it obstructs the passage of vessels which can only navigate safely within the channel or access road in question ".
This is exactly our situation. The freighter, coming from our port side, is therefore privileged over us. Paragraph b also states that " vessels less than 20 meters in length and sailing vessels must not impede the passage of vessels that can only navigate safely within a narrow channel or access lane. "
The 5 short sounds must not be emitted by the person crossing the channel, but by the vessel using the channel, which could be disturbed by another vessel crossing the channel. It's a warning signal. In our case, the cargo ship could emit 5 short sounds if the small motorboat were to cross the channel.
