Rule 2 - Responsibility

Inland & International

Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these rules.

In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Catch all rule, person in charge must do everything possible to avoid collision.

Rule 2(a):

• Obeying the rules of the road
• Taking the best possible actions to avoid collision
• Taking action to lessen the effects of collision
• using radiotelephone properly
  Rule 2(b)
• When the rules do not cover a situation, catch all.
• The essential purpose of the rule is to make it possible for vessels to take appropriate action in special circumstances to avoid "Immediate Danger"

More than two vessels approaching each other with a risk of collision

Presence of shallow water, or presence of third vessel that makes it impossible to maneuver