Why This Matters

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) have been saving lives since 1972. But the rules interact in ways that surprise even experienced sailors — Rule 9 overrides Rule 18, Rule 13 overrides everything, and Rule 17 creates obligations most stand-on vessels don't expect.

Commercial ships solved this with Bridge Alert Management — automated systems that identify vessels, calculate risk, and advise action. Recreational sailors still rely on memory and pattern recognition at 3 AM.