COLREGs — International Rules of the Road
The 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea — 38 rules across five parts. The Inland Navigation Rules (33 CFR Part 83) parallel COLREGs almost word-for-word, with a handful of US-specific deviations on Western Rivers and the Great Lakes.
Looking for the Inland version? See the Inland Rules directory →
Part A — General
Part B-I — Conduct in Any Visibility
Part B-II — In Sight of One Another
Part B-III — Restricted Visibility
Part C — Lights and Shapes
- Rule 20 · Application (Lights and Shapes)
- Rule 21 · Definitions (Lights)
- Rule 22 · Visibility of Lights
- Rule 23 · Power-driven Vessel Underway
- Rule 24 · Towing and Pushing
- Rule 25 · Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars
- Rule 26 · Fishing Vessels
- Rule 27 · Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver
- Rule 28 · Vessels Constrained by Their Draft
- Rule 29 · Pilot Vessels
- Rule 30 · Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
- Rule 31 · Seaplanes