§2007. Risk of collision (Rule 7)

(a) Determination if risk exists

Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.

(b) Radar

Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.

(c) Scanty information

Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.

(d) Considerations taken into account in determining if risk exists

In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken into account:

(i) such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change; and

(ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.

( Pub. L. 96–591, §2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3418 .)

Codification

Section was enacted as part of section 2 of Pub. L. 96–591 which enacted the Inland Navigational Rules which comprise this subchapter.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 2004, 2013, 2018, 2019 of this title.