COLREGs · Rule 2 · 33 CFR §83.02
Responsibility
The 'general prudential rule.' Nothing in the rules excuses a vessel, owner, or master from the consequences of neglect, and any rule may be departed from if necessary to avoid immediate danger.
What does Rule 2 actually say?#
Source
Practice this rule#
One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.
Under the Inland Rules, Rule 2(b) requires due regard to be had to ______.
Does Inland Rule 2 change anything?#
Inland Rule 2 is 33 CFR §83.02, reproduced above, and carries no exam-relevant divergence from COLREGs Rule 2. One answer serves both the International and the Inland version of a Rules of the Road question on this rule — which is worth knowing precisely because several neighbouring rules do not work that way.
21 of 38 rules differ somewhere; the five the exam leans on are Rule 9, Rule 10, Rule 24, Rule 28 and Rule 34, side by side on Inland vs International Rules.
Why it shows up on the exam#
This is the rule that justifies departing from any other rule when collision is imminent.
What does the exam actually test here?#
Rule of good seamanship
Rule 2(a)
Nothing in the Rules exonerates a vessel, her owner, master, or crew from the consequences of neglecting the Rules — or of neglecting any precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen or the special circumstances of the case. Compliance with the letter of a rule is not a defence if ordinary seamanship required more.
General prudential rule
Rule 2(b)
In construing and complying with the Rules, due regard must 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 the Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
The limit on departure
Immediate danger only
Rule 2(b) permits departure to avoid immediate danger — not for convenience, schedule, or a judgement that another rule is inconvenient. Exam answers that depart from a rule for any lesser reason are wrong.
Rule 2 — common exam questions#
What is Rule 2 usually called?
Rule 2(a) is the rule of good seamanship or the rule of responsibility; Rule 2(b) is the general prudential rule. Both live in 33 CFR §83.02.
Can you ever depart from the Rules?
Yes, but only under Rule 2(b), and only where the dangers of navigation and collision, special circumstances, or the limitations of the vessels involved make a departure necessary to avoid immediate danger (33 CFR §83.02(b)).
Does following the Rules exactly protect you?
No. Rule 2(a) says nothing in the Rules exonerates a vessel or her crew from the consequences of neglecting any precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case. Doing only what a rule literally requires can still be neglect.
Who does Rule 2 bind?
The vessel, and the owner, master, and crew thereof — Rule 2(a) names all of them (33 CFR §83.02(a)).
Authoritative source#
- 33 CFR §83.02 — this section with its neighbours. 33 CFR Part 83 is public domain; checked 2026-05-16.
- COLREGs Rule 2 is published by the IMO and is authoritative internationally.
Practise this rule against the real exam.
Real exam questions. No signup, no card.
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