Lesson previewClassify Commercial Traffic Before Acting1 section shown
Preview lesson
Classify Commercial Traffic Before Acting
What you will learn
Classify a vessel, formation, operating status and controlling authority before choosing a small-craft action around commercial traffic.
CEVNI does not give every large vessel a universal right of way. It does require small craft to leave other vessels enough room to hold course and manoeuvre.
Article 6.02 supplies the starting rule: small craft must leave other vessels enough room to hold their course and manoeuvre, and cannot require those vessels to give way to them. That is an operating duty, not a slogan that every commercial vessel always has priority.
Before deciding, identify the vessel or formation; whether it is towing, pushing, crossing, working or carrying prescribed dangerous goods; the water it needs for the complete manoeuvre; and any sign, radio, traffic-control or competent-authority instruction. Meeting, crossing, overtaking and special-operation rules retain their own scope.
Choose an early, reversible response. Hold outside the needed envelope, avoid a close crossing ahead and do not demand an abrupt alteration. If the formation, signal or local rule is uncertain, slow or stop safely and obtain current information rather than inventing a right of way.
Commercial traffic decision reader
Compare the observed clues, operational meaning, safe action and stop boundary before committing.
Schematic plan
Hold outside the complete sweep
Observed clues
A leader shows two vertical masthead lights; separated all-round white lights continue astern to a last section with stern marking.
Operational meaning
The leader, every towed unit, connection and last section are one towing operation.
Next safe action
Trace the operation to its true end and remain outside the connection and trailing-swing envelope.
Stop boundary
Do not pass between tug and tow or cross astern until the complete last section is identified and clear.
Read the formation and operation before choosing an action; the diagram is a schematic revision aid, not a live traffic authority.
Worked example
A long motor vessel is approaching in the marked fairway while your small craft is considering crossing from a side basin.
- 1Classify the movement as entering or crossing rather than assuming an ordinary open-water crossing.
- 2Check whether your whole crossing can finish without requiring the fairway vessel to alter course or speed.
- 3If that is not unquestionably clear, remain in safe holding water and pass astern after the traffic picture is resolved.
Sense check: If the plan works only because the larger vessel is expected to slow for you, Article 6.02 has been applied backwards.
| Question | Evidence | Decision consequence |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Single vessel, tow, pushed convoy, side-by-side formation or ferry | Protect the complete operational envelope |
| What is it doing? | Under way, crossing, working, moored, reporting or in an incident | Apply the matching rule, not appearance alone |
| What controls it? | Signs, lights, day marks, radio, traffic service, staff or local rule | Follow the current controlling information |
| Can I stay reversible? | Safe holding water and time before commitment | Hold early if the answer is no |
Use a four-line traffic brief
The crew can see a large vessel but has not identified its formation or operation.
1. Classify
Name the vessel or complete formation and its direction.
2. Observe
State its lights, shapes, signs, radio traffic and working status.
3. Protect
Mark the water and time needed for it to hold course and manoeuvre.
4. Boundary
Name where your craft will hold before that envelope is entered.
Sense check: The brief should lead to a safe action without inventing a universal commercial-vessel priority rule.
Common mistake or limitation
- Saying every commercial vessel has right of way instead of applying the exact encounter and Article 6.02 small-craft duty.
- Judging the visible hull while ignoring tow, pushed units, cables, work gear or the intended manoeuvre.
- Waiting until close quarters before giving the other vessel room to hold course and manoeuvre.
Recap
- Name the traffic situation before choosing a side or speed.
- Protect the whole manoeuvre, not only the visible hull.
- Uncertainty is a reason to remain reversible.
Optional quick check
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