CHAPTER IX.
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA

Their vital importance.—The very object of these Regulations, viz.,
the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, is sufficient to indicate their vital
importance, and should impress upon everyone who wishes to be capable
of taking charge of a vessel at sea the absolute necessity of being
thoroughly familiar with them,
JTheir importance at sea is duly reflected in the examination room
where they form the most important feature of the viva-voce examination
of masters and mates. Candidates should note this, and bear in mind
the fact that the examination in this subject will be a very rigorous
one.
The Regulations should be committed to memory.—The question
is frequently asked: "Must I learn the articles word for word?" Now
although in many of the subjects of examination the committing to
memory of fixed rules or answers is not to be recommended, but rather
the reverse, with these Regulations it is different. Here the precise
wording has been definitely fixed, and any alteration or misplacement
of the wording may entirely alter their meaning, therefore it is important
to be exact; also candidates may be asked to repeat any of the Articles.
But you must not suppose that merely being able to repeat them is
sufficient. The meaning of each Article must be understood as well as
their relation to each other, and as a seaman you must understand their
practical application. The examiners are careful to see that such is the
case before granting any candidate a certificate.
We have sectioned off the subject into three chapters.
In Chapter IX. the full text of Articles 1 to 16 is given dealing with
lights and fog signals, then a brief resume of each Article with
illustrations Mowed by a few questions and answers.
In Chapter X. the full text of the remaining Articles, 17 to.31, Steering
and Sailing Rules, is given followed by a few questions and answers,
183