COLREGS

Nautical traffic laws or "rules of the road" to help all ships, vessels or watercraft avoid collision at sea. These rules were first established in 1897 and published by the International Maritime Organisation.

Known as The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs). Regional authorities are responsible for policing the COLREGS in their own waters.

The COLREGs are divided into 5 sections:

• General
• Steering and Sailing
• Lights and Shapes
• Sound and Light Signals
• Exemptions