The COLREG, 2026 Edition is the International Maritime Organization's text of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972: the international "rules of the road" for vessels at sea. It gives the consolidated text of the Convention and the Rules with every amendment adopted by IMO.

Edition at a glance

How the Rules are organised

• Part A, General (Rules 1 to 3)
• Part B, Steering and sailing (Rules 4 to 19)
• Part C, Lights and shapes (Rules 20 to 31)
• Part D, Sound and light signals (Rules 32 to 37)
• Part E, Exemptions (Rule 38)
• Part F, Verification of compliance (Rules 39 to 41)
• Annexes I to IV: positioning and technical details of lights and shapes, extra signals for fishing vessels fishing close together, sound signal appliances, and distress signals

Where the Rules apply

The COLREGs were adopted on 20 October 1972 and entered into force on 15 July 1977. They apply to all vessels on the high seas and in all waters connected to them that seagoing vessels can navigate. In U.S. inland waters, the separate Inland Navigation Rules apply.

Who uses it

Deck officers and cadets, yacht and workboat skippers, maritime academies and license examiners, and marine lawyers and casualty investigators.