Choose your study region

Choose a course collection, not your nationality. Changing region does not change your courses, progress or access.

Compass network home

Optional preference saved in this browser on Compass Revision. It does not sync between devices or the separate course websites. You are never redirected automatically.

Independent study · no certification. Details

Compass Global is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by IMO, IHO, IALA, World Sailing, or any national authority. It does not award certification.

Compass Global study companion

International COLREGs Study Companion

Direct answer

International COLREGs decisions, lights, shapes, sound signals, and mixed scenarios with national-rule boundaries kept explicit. Compass provides independent knowledge preparation only. It does not administer an official examination, award certification, demonstrate practical competence, or replace current instructions from an authorized provider or authority. The operational study scope concentrates on Rules 1–37 and Annex IV distress signals. Rules 38–41 concern exemptions, verification of compliance, and related Convention administration; Annexes I–III contain technical positioning, sound-appliance, and additional-signal requirements. Use the complete current Convention, national enactments, inland rules, local regulations, and notices for real operations.

Price
£14.99 once
Course size
10 modules
Access
Lifetime access
Format
Independent online study companion
Preview the free module

Product tour

Try the revision loop here

This working, course-specific sample uses the same three primary steps and feedback timing as the revision app: learn the idea, use Practise for immediate help, then Test at the end.

Open the full free module

Learn · teaching first

Establish Where the Rules Apply Before Using an Encounter Rule

From Scope, Responsibility, and Definitions

What you will learn

Identify the applicable waterway and rule set, then state which jurisdictional or special-rule facts still need checking before classifying an encounter.

Explanation

Rule 1 is the first gate: establish the water, authority and applicable rules before relying on a remembered International, inland or local answer.

Use WATER — AUTHORITY — RULE SET — SPECIAL RULE — VESSEL — VISIBILITY — RISK. Rule scope and national implementation must be established before an encounter rule is applied. The International Rules apply on the high seas and on waters connected with the high seas that are navigable by seagoing vessels, while administrations may make closely conforming special rules for roadsteads, harbours, rivers, lakes and connected inland waterways. The water and competent authority therefore matter as much as the diagram in a revision question.

A national implementation, inland boundary, harbour direction, traffic service or local rule can change the text or add an operational requirement. Do not infer the boundary from appearance alone. Check the current official chart, publication, notices and authority material for the actual waterway, and distinguish an International-rule answer from a jurisdiction-specific answer in the brief.

Brief a rule-set transition

The route crosses from open water into a river approach with published local traffic directions.

Sense check: The brief is complete only when another watchkeeper can identify both the authority and the transition point.

Common mistake

Ignoring local or inland modifications

Recap

  • Begin with water, authority and rule set.
  • Name the current source and any special rule.
  • Do not silently transfer an International answer into inland or local waters.
More ways to revise

Flashcards, audio and interactive tools remain optional support inside the module; they do not replace the Learn → Practise → Test route.

Course route

Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor

1Free

Scope, Responsibility, and Definitions

Where the international rules apply, responsibilities under Rules 1 and 2, vessel-status definitions, and why no memorized hierarchy removes the need for seamanship.

Open module
2Full access

Lookout, Safe Speed, Risk, and Action

Rules 5–8: lookout, safe speed, risk of collision, radar evidence, early substantial action, and verifying that action works.

Open module
3Full access

Overtaking, Head-On, and Crossing

Rules 13–17 in sight of one another, including classification, give-way action, stand-on duties, and escalation when the expected action does not occur.

Open module
4Full access

Sailing Vessels, Channels, and Traffic Separation

Sailing-vessel encounters, responsibilities between vessels, narrow channels, traffic separation schemes, and the distinction between keep-clear and do-not-impede duties.

Open module
5Full access

Restricted Visibility

Rule 19 conduct when vessels are not in sight, safe speed, engine readiness, radar evidence, avoiding-action cautions, forward fog-signal and close-quarters triggers, and action until danger is over.

Open module
6Full access

Navigation Lights

Rules 20–31: whole-display observation, Rule 21 sectors, Rule 22 range structure, underway versus making way, pattern construction by operation and length, and collision-avoidance consequences.

Open module
7Full access

Day Shapes

Rules 20 and 24–30: exact shape observation, core status families, operation and length thresholds, directional work signals, small-vessel exceptions and collision consequences.

Open module
8Full access

Sound Signals

Rules 32–36: exact blast observation, in-sight manoeuvring and warning exchanges, restricted-visibility status families, sound appliances, anchor and aground patterns, jurisdiction and watch handover.

Open module
9Full access

Distress and Attention Signals

Rules 36–37 and International Annex IV: exact signal observation, distress-family recognition, unambiguous attention methods, exclusive-use and jurisdiction boundaries, controlled response and reconstructable handover.

Open module
10Full access

Mixed Scenarios and National Boundaries

Time-sequenced encounter decisions across changing visibility, visual sight, vessel operation, narrow-channel and TSS duties, U.S. demarcation lines, national modifications, local special rules, verified action and reconstructable handover.

Open module

What the companion includes

Clear knowledge and practical boundaries

  • Original lessons and explanations
  • At least 18 explained questions and 12 flashcards per module
  • Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
  • Worldwide terminology, jurisdiction, and primary-source context
  • Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge

Not included

  • A national licence, certificate, endorsement, or official examination
  • National inland rules, prescriptions, notices, or sailing instructions
  • Copied rulebook, chart, assessment, or official diagram content
  • A substitute for lookout, seamanship, or current local information
  • A guarantee of acceptance by an authority, club, school, or operator

Editorial record

Primary-source review

International principles are reviewed against current primary sources. National law, prescriptions, sailing instructions, equipment requirements, and local notices must be checked separately.