Law

The most important part of this chapter are the "rules of the road" - officially called the "International Regulations for the Preventing of Collisions at Sea". This rules are internationally agreed and cover the behaviour of vessels at sea and connected waters.

In national waters (up to 30 nm) every country may have specific "national rules" which apply additionally to the "Rules Of The Road" or they even override them.

The "Harbour Rules" are the last in the line. They are valid for a specific harbour and they could even override the national rules.

The hirarchy looks like that:

• In the habour the "harbour rules", the "national rules" and the "rules of the road" apply.
• In national waters the "national rules" and the "rules of the road" apply.
• At the sea only the "rules of the road" apply.