Colregs@Sea

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3 Month

£45.00

3 Month: Add to cart

Provided by the Marine Society

Aim and Objectives

Not sure what you want to do next after GCSEs, but interested in a career that’s practical, respected, and genuinely global?

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) 1972 (with amendments in force from December 2009) is a foundation course designed for 16+ learners exploring a future at sea, especially those considering a cadetship and wanting to understand what safe navigation really depends on.

As commercial shipping expanded after the Second World War and shipping lanes grew more crowded, major shipping nations worked to introduce consistent navigation rules so ship operators could be certain about their duties in busy waters. The Collision Regulations of 1960 were the first major post-war rules, but developments such as traffic separation schemes (including in the Strait of Dover) soon made an update necessary.

Published by the IMO in 1972, COLREGs have since been adopted by 155 states, representing 98.7% of the tonnage of the world’s merchant fleets, making them one of the most widely adopted safety frameworks in global shipping.

Why take this before applying for a cadetship?

Because cadetship applications and interviews go better when you can show you understand what the job involves, not just that you like the idea of life at sea. COLREGs are a core part of how ships operate safely around other vessels. This course helps you build the vocabulary and understanding to talk confidently about navigation, safety, and professional responsibility, so you sound informed, prepared, and serious about the industry.

What you’ll learn

By the end of the course, you’ll have explored:

• Why COLREGs exist - what changed in global shipping and why consistent rules became essential
• How the regulations evolved - from the 1960 Collision Regulations to the IMO’s 1972 COLREGs and later amendments
• What COLREGs do in practice - how they create clear expectations and responsibilities in busy shipping lanes
• How to learn them effectively - rules presented in bite-sized chunks, supported by downloadable audio you can revisit anytime

After the course, you can expect to:

• Explain what COLREGs are and why they matter to everyday life at sea
• Feel more confident learning the foundations of safe navigation
• Build a stronger base for cadetship preparation and further maritime study
• Sound more credible in applications and interviews by showing genuine understanding, not just interest