An article entitled ‘Defining the Close-Quarters Situation at Sea’ in this Journal (36, 454, September 1983), described how certain manoeuvres made by ships could safeguard against close-quarters situations developing at sea and, when circumstances demanded, these manoeuvres could ensure compliance with Rule 19(e) of the Collision Regulations.

Basically it was suggested that engines should be stopped when the distance between two such approaching vessels was N nautical miles, which was pre-calculated. If that action appeared insufficient, full astern power should be applied after an interval of Δt minutes had elapsed or, at the latest, when the separation distance between the two vessels was not less than Ab(SP) nautical miles.