STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING DEC 2013 - SAFE NAVIGATION | Page 39

Authorised User (see Terms and Conditions): Member of North of England P&I Association

Rule 5: Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions
so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

KEEP A LOOK-OUT
• Using a radio – you must listen to what is going on around you but you
must always think carefully before calling other ships on VHF. It always
takes more time than you think and it may cause delay and confusion.
• Monitoring sound signals – ensure you can hear what is going on outside
the wheelhouse. Be aware of the effect of keeping a closed wheelhouse
and of distracting noises inside it.
• Using a depth indicator – frequently and systematically monitor the
depth of water beneath your keel. The seabed is often the nearest point
of danger.
• Avoid distractions such as wheelhouse and deck lights, other people,
navigational records and routine paperwork, including chart corrections.
• Always remember that you are on bridge watch to keep the ship safe, as
set out in Rule 2 on responsibility.

Between them, Rule 2 on responsibility and Rule 5 are the most important of
all the COLREGs.
Rule 5 is short but it has two vital elements:
• You must pay attention to everything – not just looking ahead out of
the bridge windows but looking all around the vessel, using all your senses
and all personnel and equipment available to you. There must always
be someone looking-out. If weather or the situation around you causes
concern, then more look-outs may be needed and you must call them
without hesitation.
• You must use all of that information continuously to assess the situation
your vessel is in and the risk of collision.
The requirement to ‘maintain a proper look-out’ includes:

To assess the risk of collision you must continuously ask yourself:
• Looking and listening – maintain a continuous watch by sight and by
hearing, both inside and outside the wheelhouse.
• Looking means looking out of the windows, all the time.
• Using ECDIS – the prime function of ECDIS is to help you be sure that
your ship is not moving into danger. Its other functions are useful but you
must not get distracted by them.
• Using ARPA – you must be aware of the effects of clutter, of small targets
and the range and limitations of the set.

• Is a collision possible, because of the action (or inaction) of any vessel in
the vicinity – including your own vessel?
• Is a collision probable? If so, the risk of collision is already here and you
need to act urgently. See also Rule 7 on risk of collision.

SUMMARY
Always keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing.

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