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Rules of the Road

Proper lookout

Technical visualConstant bearing with decreasing range
Constant bearing with decreasing rangeSuccessive observations keep a target on nearly the same bearing while the range decreases.OWNTARGET
Constant bearing with decreasing rangeSuccessive observations keep a target on nearly the same bearing while the range decreases.OWNTARGET
Rule 7: a nearly constant bearing with decreasing range is a classic collision-risk warning.

Rule 5

Every vessel must maintain a proper lookout at all times by:

sight

hearing

all other available means appropriate to the conditions

The purpose is to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of collision.

A chartplotter, AIS or radar does not replace looking and listening.

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