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What do the rules say about using VHF to help avoid collision?

Author

Zoe Patterson

Updated on March 12, 2026

What do the rules say about using VHF to help avoid collision?

For vessels crossing, the vessel that has the other on its own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Nonetheless, in U.S. Inland Rules Chapter 34, it is noted that vessels may use VHF radio to make vessel interaction arrangements to avoid the risk of collision.

What is the biggest factor that causes most of maritime accidents onboard?

Lack of Proper Training and Human Error According to the Mariners Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS), human error accounts for the majority of maritime accidents. Human error typically occurs due to improper training and/or lack of training, inexperience, fatigue from being overworked, and overexertion.

What is the most common cause of accident at sea?

Primary Causes of Maritime Accidents

  • Long Hours, Lack of sleep leading to Fatigue.
  • Inexperience, and lack of training.
  • Long voyages, extended time at sea.
  • Personal relationships aboard the vessel.
  • Reckless Behavior, including abuse of drugs and alcohol.
  • Poor decision making and/or negligence.

What are the common causes of accidents on board ship due to failure of communication?

Communication a main factor of accidents at sea: Three real-life examples

  • Case #1: Lack of coordination between Master and Pilot led to contact with pier.
  • Lessons learned.
  • Case #2: Collision linked to inappropriate VHF use.
  • Lessons learned.
  • Case #3: Grounding linked to inefficient bridge resource management.
  • Lessons learned.

What is the use of VHF?

Common uses for radio waves in the VHF band are Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and FM radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, two-way land mobile radio systems (emergency, business, private use and military), long range data communication up to several tens of kilometers with radio modems, amateur radio, and …

How can we stop collision at sea?

Collision Avoidance Checklist

  1. Avoid ship channels where possible, or cross them quickly.
  2. Be alert: Watch for ship traffic.
  3. Think before you drink!
  4. Be seen, especially at night.
  5. Know whistle signals: Five or more mean danger.
  6. Use radio channel 13 for bridge-to-bridge communication.
  7. Use up-to-date navigation charts.

What is accident on sea called?

Ship collision is the name given to the physical impact that occurs between two ships resulting in a damaging accident.

What is a maritime incident?

Marine incident means an event, or sequence of events, other than a marine casualty, which has occurred directly in connection with the operations of a ship that endangered, or, if not corrected, would endanger the safety of the ship, its occupants or any other person or the environment.

What is human error in maritime?

Maritime accidents that occur due to natural factors such as a ships being caught in an unexpected storm, unfavorable tides, strong winds etc. The causes that top the list like collisions, fires, explosions, ships being lost, tanker accidents etc are all results of human errors in one way or the other.

How is VHF transmitted?

The primary mode of propagation for VHF radio waves is through direct waves. These travel in a straight line, becoming weaker as distance increases. Transmitting and receiving antennas must be able to ‘see’ each other for communications to be effective, so antenna height is critical in determining range.

Can ships collide?

Ship corrosion is a major hazard for the industry. The deterioration of these structures causes higher maintenance costs, early system failures, or an overall shortened service life. Corrosion is a natural process which as a result, reduces metallic elements back to their original state.