Part F — Rules 39 to 41
The newest part of the COLREGs, and the only one written for governments rather than ships. What it is, when it arrived, and what it means — or doesn't — on the bridge.
Three rules, Rules 39, 40 and 41. The UK's notice on the COLREGs, MSN 1781, describes them as rules 'which provide for IMO verification of Member States' compliance with the provisions of the COLREG convention'.
In other words, Part F is about the IMO checking that the states party to the convention are carrying out their obligations under it — not about how vessels navigate.
It was adopted by IMO Resolution A.1085(28) on 10 December 2013 and came into force on 1 January 2016, according to MSN 1781 (section 2.2 and Appendix 2). Before that, the COLREGs had five parts, A to E.
Six parts and 41 rules, plus four annexes: Part A, General (Rules 1–3); Part B, Steering and sailing (Rules 4–19); Part C, Lights and shapes (Rules 20–31); Part D, Sound and light signals (Rules 32–37); Part E, Exemptions (Rule 38); and Part F, verification of compliance (Rules 39–41).
As we read it, no. MSN 1781 describes Part F as providing for verification of member states' compliance, so its subject is the states, not the vessel: it adds no light, shape, signal or manoeuvre, and nothing a watchkeeper does differently. Everything you apply on the bridge is in Parts A to E and the annexes.
Because it is recent, and older editions predate it. National versions can also differ in their own additions: Canada's Collision Regulations, for instance, use the numbers 39 to 46 for Canadian rules of their own. When a question is about the International Regulations, Rules 39 to 41 are Part F.
It may come up as part of a question on how the COLREGs are arranged. Examples of the kind of question to be ready for:
“How many parts do the COLREGs have, and what does each cover?”
“What is Part F, and does it change anything for you on watch?”
The notices change. Always check the current version on GOV.UK before you apply or book.
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