Restricted visibility

Rule 19

Rule 19 applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

Key actions include:

proceed at safe speed

power-driven vessels keep engines ready for immediate maneuver

use radar properly when fitted

assess close-quarters situations early

if avoiding action is taken based on radar alone, avoid alteration to port for a vessel forward of the beam, except when overtaking

avoid turning toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam

if a fog signal apparently forward of the beam is heard, or close quarters cannot be avoided, reduce to the minimum speed at which course can be kept

if necessary, take all way off

navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over