INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS – WHAT PRICE COMPLIANCE

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the procedures by which the United Nations Inter‐Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), now IMO, enacts one form of International Regulations and discusses the resultant impact in bringing U.S. Navy combatant ships into compliance with these regulations in terms of design alterations and cost.The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS 72) enactment process is explained in terms of International Law and United Nations involvement. This is followed by an in‐depth discussion of the existing COLREGS 72 requirements. A summary comparison of the major differences between COLREGS 60 and COLREGS 72 is provided. New terminology is explained. Newly specified lighting requirements are discussed, and changes in light chromaticity, luminous intensity, and range of visibility are addressed. Types of exemptions are discussed, and a summary of the actions required for the U.S. Navy to bring its ships into “compliance” and “closest compliance” is provided. In order to demonstrate the impact of this type compliance in a visible and clear manner, the rules are systematically applied to the DDG 2 Class and sketches of the topside arrangements resulting from each change are depicted. A detailed discussion of required task light array specifications is provided and includes the latest results of research recently conducted by the Naval Sea Systems Command in consort with the Naval Coastal Systems Center in order to determine how COLREGS 72 specifications can be achieved for the task light array. Academic “text book” light separation distances are compared to the actual separation requirements obtained through visual acuity tests achieved on an over‐water range. Finally, the estimated cost of bringing the majority of U.S Navy combatant ships into closest compliance is provided, thus raising the question: WHAT PRICE COMPLIANCE?