Which COLREGs rule covers the risk of collision and requires you to assess it?

• A. Rule 7: Risk of Collision
• B. Rule 5: Look-out
• C. Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes
• D. Rule 9: Narrow Channels

Answer: (A)

Assessing the risk of collision is addressed by Rule 7. It requires you to use all available means to determine whether another vessel poses a risk of collision and to act if such a risk exists. This means continuously observing and combining information from visual sightings, radar, AIS, and other tools to judge relative bearing, range, and closing speed, so you can determine if a safe passing distance is likely. If a risk is identified, you must take early and decisive action to avoid collision, following the maneuvering obligations that come with Rule 7 and the broader COLREGs framework. The look-out requirement in Rule 5 underpins this process by ensuring you have timely information about other traffic, but Rule 7 is the rule that specifically governs the need to assess risk and respond. Traffic Separation Schemes (Rule 10) and Narrow Channels (Rule 9) involve situational rules for particular environments, not the general obligation to assess collision risk.