Rule 6

Safe Speed

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:

1. By all vessels:



1. The state of visibility;



2. The traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;



3. The manoeuvability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;



4. At night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter from her own lights;



5. The state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;



6. The draft in relation to the available depth of water.



2. Additionally, by vessels with operational radar:



1. The characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment;



2. Any constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use;



3. The effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather and other sources of interference;



4. The possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range;



5. The number location and movement of vessels detected by radar;



6. The more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.