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COLREG

Rule 38: Exemptions

COLREG may give certain vessels built before its 1977 entry into force technical exemptions: for four or nine years (both expired) or permanently.

Rule 38 of 41

Decide

Vessels built before 1977 that met the 1960 Regulations: temporary exemption (now expired) or permanent?

Tap a card and then its group, or drag it.

The rule in plain words

  1. Who may qualify?A vessel or class whose keel was laid, or was at a corresponding construction stage, before entry into force, and that complies with the 1960 Regulations, may be exempted.
  2. Which installations had four years?Installing lights with the ranges in Rule 22 and the color specifications in Section 7 of annex I had a period of up to four years after entry into force (15 July 1977), so it expired in 1981.
  3. What has permanent exemption?Permanent exemption covers repositioning after converting Imperial to metric units and rounding; repositioning masthead lights on vessels under 150 m (3(a)) and all-round lights (9(b)).
  4. What lasted up to nine years?Up to nine years' exemption (expired in 1986) covered masthead-light repositioning on vessels of 150 m or more (3(a)), masthead-light repositioning (2(b)), sidelights (2(g) and 3(b)), and sound signal appliances in annex III. Only the permanent exemptions still apply.
Rule 38 transitional provisions: ships built before the 1972 Regulations entered into force had set periods to bring their lights into line, for example repositioning a masthead light. Age alone gives no general exemption.

Before you read on: what would you do?

Question 1/1

Which condition comes before the exemptions in Rule 38?

Frequent mistakes

  • Wrong: "Any vessel may qualify for an exemption."

    Right: It must meet the 1960 Regulations, with keel laid or at a corresponding stage before entry into force.

  • Wrong: "Every exemption lasts four years."

    Right: Some last nine years and others are permanent.

  • Wrong: "The nine-year exemption covers a vessel under 150 m for masthead-light repositioning."

    Right: For less than 150 m, that masthead-light change has permanent exemption.

Exam keys & interpretation

  1. "Before entry into force" also requires compliance with the 1960 Regulations; "may" is not automatic exemption.
  2. "Less than 150 m" = permanent; "150 m or more" = up to nine years for masthead lights.
  3. Separate light installation (four years) from repositioning and sound appliances (nine years or permanent).

How to read it

Think of a transition for older vessels: it covers technical installations and periods, not an everyday manoeuvre between vessels.

For a question, identify the installation or change first, then the exact period: four years, nine years or permanent.

Key points

  • Condition: keel laid before entry into force · or corresponding construction stage.
  • Starting requirement: comply with the 1960 International Regulations.
  • Different periods → four years · nine years · permanent.
  • Technical scope → ranges, colors, repositioning and sound signal appliances.

Test your knowledge

3 questions to check it. Pick an answer to see why.

Question 1/3

Which installations have up to four years after entry into force?

Now put it into practice40 questions with explained answers · no sign-up
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Official text

IMO COLREG 1972 U.S. Coast Guard — International Navigation Rules (2024)

Full wording of the rule, reproduced from the official source below.

Any vessel (or class of vessels) provided that she complies with the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1960, the keel of which is laid or which is at a corresponding stage of construction before the entry into force of these Regulations may be exempted from compliance therewith as follows: (a) The installation of lights with ranges prescribed in Rule 22, until four years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (b) The installation of lights with color specifications as prescribed in Section 7 of annex I to these Regulations, until four years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (c) The repositioning of lights as a result of conversion from Imperial to metric units and rounding off measurement figures, permanent exemption. (d) (i) The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of less than 150 m in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3(a) of annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption. (ii) The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of 150 m or more in length, resulting from the prescriptions of section 3(a) of annex I to these Regulations, until nine years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (e) The repositioning of masthead lights resulting from the prescriptions of section 2(b) of annex I to these Regulations, until nine years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (f) The repositioning of sidelights resulting from the prescriptions of sections 2(g) and 3(b) of annex I to these Regulations, until nine years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (g) The requirements for sound signal appliances prescribed in annex III to these Regulations, until nine years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations. (h) The repositioning of all-round lights resulting from the prescription of section 9(b) of annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption.
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Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed: