1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

COLREG 1972/COLREGs

• International Law Documents
  • Oceans/Law of the Sea
    • International Maritime Organization

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

Annex I: Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes

Annex II: Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity

Annex III: Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances

Annex IV: Distress Signals

15/07/1977

“ARTICLE IV Entry into Force:

1. (a) The present Convention shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which at least 15 States, the aggregate of whose merchant fleets constitutes not less than 65 per cent by number or by tonnage of the world fleet of vessels of 100 gross tons and over have become Parties to it, whichever is achieved first.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, the present Convention shall not enter into force before 1 January 1976.

2. Entry into force for States which ratify, accept, approve or accede to this Convention in accordance with Article II after the conditions prescribed in sub-paragraph 1(a) have been met and before the Convention enters into force, shall be on the date of entry into force of the Convention.

3. Entry into force for States which ratify, accept, approve or accede after the date on which this Convention enters into force, shall be on the date of deposit of an instrument in accordance with Article II.

4. After the date of entry into force of an amendment to this Convention in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article VI, any ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall apply to the Convention as amended.

5. On the date of entry into force of this Convention, the Regulations replace and abrogate the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1960.

6. The Secretary-General shall inform the Governments of States that have signed or acceded to this Convention of the date of its entry into force.”

1981 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.464(XII))

1987 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.626(15))

1989 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.678(18))

1993 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.736(18))

2001 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.910(22))

2007 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.1004(25))

2013 Amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (A.1085(28))

1960 Collision Regulations

1948 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (annexed to the 1948 Final Act of the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea)

1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

United Nations Treaty Collection, US Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps accessed on 08/01/2020