You’re out on the water. Maybe you’re sailing a 35-footer along the coast, piloting a pleasure craft for a weekend getaway, or you’re part of a professional crew navigating a massive commercial vessel through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. No matter your role, the rules of the sea apply – and when they’re ignored or misunderstood, disaster can strike.
Collisions at sea aren’t as rare as you might think. And the consequences are often very costly and quite severe.
From environmental disasters to tragic loss of life, like in the recent North Sea collision between the Solong cargo ship and the anchored oil tanker Stena Immaculate, the risks are real. If you’re responsible for any vessel (small or large), you need to understand the risks and how to prevent them.
The Primary Reasons Boats Collide
There’s a saying in maritime circles: “The sea has no lanes.” And while that’s true, it doesn’t mean it’s lawless. In fact, the maritime world runs on strict rules – many of which fall under the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).
When followed, these rules create order. When ignored? The effects can be disastrous.
Here are the main culprits behind collisions:
- Human error. Most collisions are the result of simple mistakes, like misjudging distances, assuming another vessel will yield, or failing to keep a proper lookout. Fatigue, distraction, or even overconfidence can cause someone to make a poor decision at the helm. Unlike driving a car, you don’t have brakes at sea, so small errors often become big problems fast.
- Poor visibility. Fog, rain, darkness, and even sun glare can severely limit your ability to see other vessels or obstacles in the water. The North Sea collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate – which we’ll cover in more detail in a moment – happened during thick fog, which made navigation and visual detection much harder. When visibility drops, you need to slow down, sound proper signals, and increase your alertness.
- Mechanical failure. A sudden loss of steering, throttle response, or propulsion can make a vessel a drifting hazard. Even with the best planning, engine trouble or rudder issues can strike unexpectedly, leaving you at the mercy of the current and the wind. Without fast corrective action or working emergency protocols, this can quickly lead to a collision.
- Speeding or reckless navigation. High speeds reduce your reaction time and increase the severity of any impact. In crowded waterways or near ports, operating at full speed is dangerous and often illegal. Yet some vessels still plough through at 15 or 20 knots when they should be crawling.
- Failure to follow right-of-way rules. Not understanding or ignoring COLREGs is a recipe for disaster. Many boaters assume sail always trumps power or that smaller vessels should always yield, but right-of-way rules are more nuanced than that. When two skippers each think the other should move, or neither one reacts in time, a collision is almost inevitable.
Let’s go deeper into that last point – because this is where most boaters get it wrong and open themselves up to unnecessary risk.
Right of Way: Who Gives Way to Whom?
When you’re out on the water, you can’t just assume that others will move for you. You need to know who has the legal right of way (and when it’s your responsibility to alter course or slow down).
ailing vessels generally have right of way over power-driven vessels, while human-powered craft (like kayaks and paddleboards) typically have right of way over both – though, in practice, their low visibility makes it safer for them to just yield.
Commercial ships should always be treated with caution. They take a long time to slow down or change course. Legally, they often do have the right of way in shipping lanes and harbour entrances.
When it comes to vessels of the same type, specific rules apply. For example, when two sailboats meet, the vessel with the wind on the port side gives way to the one with wind on the starboard side. And when two power boats meet head-on, both should alter course to starboard.
If crossing paths, the vessel with the other on its starboard side gives way (think of it like a “yield to the right” rule).
Navigational Protocols Across International Waters
The COLREGs are internationally agreed upon. However, enforcement and additional requirements vary by region.
- United Kingdom & Europe. All vessels must follow COLREGs. In busy zones like the English Channel or the North Sea, Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) are mandatory. Vessels must follow specific lanes and rules of crossing. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) enforces safety standards and accident investigations.
- United States. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for enforcing COLREGs, along with national regulations. In inland waters, Inland Navigation Rules apply, which mirror COLREGs but have slight variations (especially in regard to whistle signals and lighting).
What Happened in the North Sea?
Imagine being anchored offshore and your engines are off. It’s a routine operation. The skies are foggy, but you think you’re safe – until out of the thick fog comes a 7,000-ton cargo vessel barrelling toward you at 16 knots.
That’s exactly what happened off the coast of Hull, England, in March 2025.
The Stena Immaculate, a massive U.S.-flagged oil tanker, was anchored in a designated area just 13 miles off the East Yorkshire coast. On board were 23 American crew members and a volatile cargo: 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, spread across 18 sealed compartments.
Meanwhile, the Solong, a Portuguese-flagged container ship, was heading south from Grangemouth, Scotland, en route to the Netherlands. According to tracking data, it was cruising at a steady speed – roughly 16 knots (about 18 mph) – when it slammed straight into the anchored tanker.
The area was blanketed in heavy fog, reducing visibility to near zero. Rescuers later said they could barely see during the emergency response. But regardless of the weather, the rules of the sea are clear: A vessel under way is required to maintain a safe speed, post lookouts, and be able to avoid anchored vessels. In this case, that didn’t happen.
Eyewitness reports from the Stena Immaculate crew described the Solong as a “massive ship coming out of the blue.” There was no time to react. Within seconds, the crash triggered explosions and an inferno on both ships. Jet fuel tanks were likely ruptured on impact. One crew member is still missing – presumed dead. Several others had to leap into lifeboats to survive.
The damage to both ships was catastrophic. The Solong caught fire and continued to burn for days, drifting away after the collision. The Stena Immaculate, though heavily damaged, remained anchored. Thankfully, its double-hull design and compartmentalised fuel storage may have helped contain the worst of the spill.
So how could something like this happen?
Early analysis suggests a combination of factors: poor visibility, possible navigational failure, and a lack of proper watchkeeping or communication. The Solong appears to have been moving at a dangerous speed given the conditions, and no evasive action was taken (even though the Stena Immaculate had been anchored in the same spot for more than 12 hours).
The worst part is that this wasn’t some small private boat drifting into harm’s way. These were massive vessels with experienced crews and advanced navigation equipment. But this just goes to show that the moment you get too comfortable, it can lead to disaster.
How to Avoid a Collision
Out at sea, you don’t get second chances. One wrong move or moment of distraction, and things can spiral quickly. But thankfully, most collisions are avoidable. If you follow the right protocols and stay alert, you can drastically reduce your risk. Here are a few pointers:
- Always Keep a Proper Lookout
This is one of the most basic, yet most ignored, safety rules at sea. COLREG Rule 5 mandates it, and for good reason.
You need to use all available means to stay aware of your surroundings – not just your eyes. That means regularly scanning the water with binoculars, but also listening for engine noise, foghorns, or distress signals. If you have radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), or even a basic chart plotter, those tools need to be active and monitored – especially in low visibility or congested areas.
Don’t delegate this entirely to tech. If you're relying solely on GPS and radar, you're sailing blind in ways you can't afford. Have at least one crew member constantly scanning and reporting what they see, even if it seems quiet.
- Understand and Follow the Rules of the Road
The “rules of the road” at sea are not optional. They’re the backbone of collision prevention, and you should know them like the back of your hand.
That means understanding overtaking, head-on, and crossing rules. If you’re overtaking another vessel, it’s your job to keep clear – always. If you’re on a head-on course with another power-driven boat, both of you must turn to starboard to avoid collision. And in crossing situations, the vessel that sees another approaching from its starboard (right) side must give way.
- Don’t Rely 100 Percent on Electronics
Technology can make navigation easier, but it’s not foolproof. GPS doesn’t tell you if another boat’s captain is distracted. AIS won’t warn you about a non-transmitting kayak floating dead ahead. And radar can’t detect every hazard in a cluttered harbour or busy marina.
Your best tool is still your judgment. Use electronics as aids, not substitutes. Confirm radar echoes with visual sightings. Double-check your chart plotter against what you see with your own eyes, and never assume every vessel out there is broadcasting a signal or even paying attention.
- Communicate Clearly
Good seamanship includes clear, confident communication. In uncertain situations, don’t wait for a near miss to make contact – pick up your VHF radio and hail the other vessel.
You should use standard channels (Channel 16 for hailing, then switch to a working channel) and speak calmly: “Motor vessel approaching from the north, this is sailing vessel Windswept crossing your bow – what are your intentions?” Don’t guess what the other vessel is doing. Always ask.
In low visibility, use your horn. In high-traffic zones, announce your movements. Even on small recreational craft, hand signals and clear verbal directions can avoid confusion between crew members or nearby boaters.
- Manage Speed and Distance
A major contributor to collisions is traveling too fast for the conditions. The COLREGs require all vessels to proceed at a “safe speed,” But what does that really mean?
It means your boat should be moving slowly enough to stop or manoeuvre in time to avoid a collision, considering:
- Visibility (fog, darkness, glare)
- Traffic density
- Your boat’s stopping distance and manoeuvrability
- The presence of navigational hazards or anchored vessels
You might feel confident cruising at 20 knots in open water, but if fog rolls in or you're approaching a crowded harbour, that speed can become reckless in an instant.
Maintaining a safe distance is equally important. Give commercial vessels wide berth – especially tankers, ferries, and cargo ships. They often have limited visibility from the helm and take a long time to stop or turn. Just because you can squeeze by doesn’t mean you should.
The Bottom Line
Collisions don’t happen “out of nowhere.” They’re almost always preceded by warning signs – ignored radar signals, missed visual cues, or misunderstood navigation rules.
The ocean is big, but your margin for error is razor thin. So, act early and communicate often. Because when you’re in charge of a vessel – whether 10 feet or 1,000 feet long – the responsibility is yours. And in the end, it’s not just about avoiding damage to your boat. It’s about protecting your crew, the environment, and everyone else on the water with you.
At TheYachtMarket, we take safety seriously. Why? Because we know that in order to enjoy your time at sea, you have to play by the rules and look out for those around you. Check out our vast selection of boats for sale to find the best boat for your needs.