Rule text#
Source
The international COLREGs text is published by the IMO and is not available to reproduce here. Shown below is the U.S. counterpart, 33 CFR §83.36, which tracks the international wording closely.
If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.
Authoritative source#
Source links checked against the current public rule corpus on 2026-05-16.
- 33 CFR §83.36 — the section this text comes from, with its neighbours.
- International COLREGs Rule 36 verbatim text is published by the IMO and is authoritative for international waters.
Practice this rule#
One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.
A lookout on the bow sights a buoy broad on the port beam. Which report format is correct?
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