PART IV
NAVIGATION RULES
Application of this Part
25.  Unless the context otherwise requires, this Part shall apply to any vessel in any reservoir.
Look-out
26.  Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
Safe speed for vessel
27.—(1)  Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
(2)  In determining a safe speed, the following factors shall be taken into account:
(a)the state of visibility;
(b)the traffic density;
(c)the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
(d)at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights;
(e)the state of wind and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards; and
(f)the draught in relation to the available depth of water.
Risk of collision
28.—(1)  Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists.
(2)  In determining if risk of collision exists, the following considerations shall be taken into account:
(a)such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change;
(b)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; and
(c)if there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.
Action to avoid collision
29.—(1)  Any action taken to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.
(2)  Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance.
(3)  The effectiveness of the action of a power-driven vessel under paragraph (2) shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear.
(4)  If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a power-driven vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.
(5)  A vessel, the passage of which is not to be impeded, remains fully obliged to comply with these Regulations when the 2 vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision.
Steering rules
30.—(1)  Where 2 sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision ––
(a)when each vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other vessel;
(b)when both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel that is to leeward; and
(c)when a vessel with the wind on the port side has a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that other vessel has the wind on the port side or starboard side, the first-mentioned vessel shall keep out of the way of the other vessel.
(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (1), the side opposite the side on which the mainsail is carried shall be regarded as the windward side.
(3)  Where 2 power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, so as to involve risk of collision, each vessel shall alter her course to starboard so that each vessel shall pass on the port side of the other vessel.
(4)  Where 2 power-driven vessels are crossing, so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel that has the other vessel on its own starboard side shall keep out of the way of that other vessel.
(5)  Where a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, the power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
(6)  Where a vessel propelled by oars and a sailing vessel are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel propelled by oars shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
(7)  Where a power-driven vessel and a vessel propelled by oars are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, the power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel propelled by oars.
(8)  Any vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the starboard side of the channel as is safe and practicable.
Course and speed to be kept
31.  Where one of 2 vessels is to keep out of the way, the other vessel shall keep her course and speed until the vessels are clear of one another, unless to do so would involve risk of collision.
Restriction on crossing ahead
32.  A vessel that is required to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if practicable, keep from crossing ahead of the other vessel.
Power-driven vessel to slacken speed
33.  A power-driven vessel that is required to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching that other vessel, if necessary to avoid collision, slow down, stop or reverse.
Overtaking vessel
34.—(1)  A power-driven vessel or sailing vessel that is overtaking another vessel shall keep out of the way of the other vessel.
(2)  A power-driven vessel or sailing vessel coming up with another vessel from a direction of more than 22.5° abaft that other vessel’s beam is taken to be an overtaking vessel.
Use of designated zones
35.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (3) ––
(a)every power-driven vessel shall navigate only within the limits of the zone in a reservoir designated for power-driven vessels; and
(b)every non-power-driven vessel shall navigate only within the limits of the zone in a reservoir designated for non-power-driven vessels.
(2)  The Board may define the limits of the designated zones in a reservoir for power-driven vessels and non-power-driven vessels by bearings, buoys or other means.
(3)  This regulation shall not apply to ––
(a)any vessel approved by the Board for patrolling, rescue or general reservoir maintenance work or any vessel of the Singapore Armed Forces, Police Coast Guard or Singapore Civil Defence Force; or
(b)any vessel which has obtained the prior written approval of an authorised officer to navigate outside the limits of the zone designated for the vessel.
Navigation lights
36.—(1)  A power-driven vessel underway on a reservoir at night shall show ––
(a)a masthead light forward;
(b)sidelights; and
(c)a sternlight,
but, in the following cases, may opt to show the specified lights in lieu thereof:
(i)if the vessel is less than 12 metres in length ––
(A)an all-round white light and sidelights; or
(B)a masthead light or an all-round white light which may be displaced from the fore and aft centreline of the vessel, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centreline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light;
(ii)if the vessel is less than 7 metres in length and has a maximum speed not exceeding 7 knots, an all-round white light and, if practicable, sidelights.
(2)  A sailing vessel underway on a reservoir at night shall show —
(a)sidelights; and
(b)a sternlight,
but, in the following cases, may opt to show the specified lights in lieu thereof:
(i)if the vessel is less than 20 metres in length, the sidelights and sternlight may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen;
(ii)if the vessel is less than 7 metres in length, an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light ready at hand which shall be shown in sufficient time to prevent collision.
(3)  A vessel under oars on a reservoir at night may show the lights specified in paragraph (2) for a sailing vessel, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or a lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be shown in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
(4)  The lights required to be shown under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be of an intensity so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:
(a)in a vessel of 12 metres or more in length but less than 50 metres in length ––
(i)masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 metres, 3 miles;
(ii)sidelights, 2 miles;
(iii)sternlight, 2 miles;
(iv)white all-round light, 2 miles; and
(b)in a vessel of less than 12 metres in length ––
(i)masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii)sidelights, 1 mile;
(iii)sternlight, 2 miles;
(iv)white all-round light, 2 miles.
(5)  In this regulation ––
“all-round light” means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360°;
“masthead light” means a white light placed over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225° and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on either side of the vessel;
“sidelights” means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5° and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on its respective side;
“sternlight” means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135° and so fixed as to show the light of 67.5° from right aft on each side of the vessel.
Reckless or negligent conduct of vessel or conduct while intoxicated
37.—(1)  No person shall navigate a vessel in a reservoir —
(a)recklessly or negligently; or
(b)at such a speed, or otherwise in any way, that is —
(i)dangerous or likely to cause injury to any person or damage to his property; or
(ii)likely to cause annoyance or be a nuisance to any person.
(2)  No person shall have conduct of any vessel in a reservoir while he is under the influence of drink or a drug or an intoxicating substance to such extent as —
(a)to be incapable of having proper control of the vessel; or
(b)to endanger the safety of the vessel or any other person.
Offence
38.—(1)  Where any of the regulations in this Part is contravened, any person for the time being having conduct of the vessel and the operator of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(2)  It shall be a defence for any person charged with an offence under paragraph (1) to show that he took all reasonable precautions to avoid commission of the offence.