Key Points

• Mariners are responsible for complying with the Rules. They are not just suggested guidelines or best practices.
• Mariners are not only responsible for complying with the Rules, but also for departing from the rules to avoid collisions due to "special circumstances".
• Special circumstances can include any situation that is not referenced in the Rules (there is no way of listing every situation). Some examples include: vessels entering or leaving a slip, vessels proceeding stern-first, vessels not making way, two vessels in a collision situations where both must take action to avoid collision, draft limitations and presence of more than two vessels.