Older vessels built before a certain date are exempt from some general COLREGs rules

Exemptions in the COLREGs: old ships, new rules, and what it all means

If you’ve ever watched a harbor wake up at dawn, you know ships come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some are sleek and modern, full of the latest navigation gear. Others are sturdy veterans, built long before satellite trackers and electronic chart plotting were the norm. And yes, there are subtle exemptions baked into the Rules of the Road for vessels that date back to earlier eras. So, what’s exempt, exactly, and why does that matter?

The quick take: which vessels get a pass?

Here’s the short answer to a question that pops up in study groups and on deck: vessels constructed before a certain date are typically exempt from some general COLREGs rules. In other words, older hulls may not be required to follow every single general rule in the same way newer ships must. But this is not a free pass to ignore safety or the basics of good seamanship. They still have obligations to prevent collisions, behave responsibly, and comply with overarching safety and pollution-prevention duties.

Let me explain what that means in plain terms.

Older ships and the logic behind the exemption

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has evolved its standards over the decades as ships got bigger, faster, and smarter. New regulations reflect advances in hull design, propulsion, navigation, and communication. Some general COLREGs rules were designed with modern vessels in mind—think of the way traffic patterns, maneuverability, and detection systems work on a recently built vessel.

Because older ships were designed to meet older standards, certain general rules don’t automatically apply to them in the same way. The exemption acknowledges that retrofitting a decades-old vessel to satisfy every modern rule could be impractical or disproportionately burdensome, especially when safety can still be achieved through other established practices. The important caveat is that these vessels aren’t exempt from safety—the broader obligations under COLREGs, and related safety and pollution rules, still hold.

A few critical clarifications that keep the record straight

• It’s not about dry docks or size alone. Being in dry dock doesn't automatically grant an exemption from all COLREGs. When a vessel is back in the water and operating, it must follow applicable rules and any dockside safety requirements. Likewise, vessel size alone (for instance, “under 10 meters”) does not translate into a blanket exemption from the general rules.

• The exemption is date-based, not design-based. The key phrase you’ll hear is “constructed before a certain date.” That date is tied to the era in which the ship was built and the standards that were in effect at that time. It’s not a light switch you flip on or off by simply saying “older vessel.” It’s about alignment with regulatory generations.

• Old ships still have to keep safety front and center. Even with exemptions, these vessels must comply with broad safety practices, pollution prevention norms, and the general duty to avoid collisions. The goal is clear: minimize risk while recognizing the practical realities of aging fleets.

What stays the same for everyone on the water

Even if a vessel enjoys these exemptions, a steady core of rules remains non-negotiable. Think of it as the backbone of safe navigation:

• Lookout and safe speed. Every vessel must maintain a proper lookout and proceed at a safe speed for the conditions.

• Risk of collision. The fundamental obligation to take early and substantial action to avoid collision applies to all vessels.

• Maneuverability and speed adjustments. Even exempt ships should be capable of clear signaling and reasonable maneuvering to prevent confusion on the water.

• Pollution prevention. MARPOL and related safety regimes still apply. A vessel can’t dump or pollute, regardless of its exemption status.

• Compliance with traffic separation schemes and lights. Where applicable, traffic rules and lights still guide behavior to keep traffic flowing safely.

The practical implications on the bridge or the helm

Imagine you’re at the wheel of a venerable freighter that’s seen more sunsrises than most of your friends have slept in. The ship’s engines hum with a familiar cadence; the bridge is a mix of polished brass and sturdy electronics, a reminder that some rules exist in layers. For this old mariner, the exemption means relying on a deep, practical sense of seamanship—natural anticipation of other vessels’ intentions, a conservative approach in crowded waters, and a mindset tuned to clear, predictable actions.

But here’s the important flip side: that same vessel must be designed, equipped, and crewed to meet the safety expectations of the modern era. That means training for the crew, maintaining critical lifesaving and firefighting gear, ensuring that any navigation aids present are properly used, and keeping communications clear and timely. It’s not about chasing the latest gadget; it’s about keeping people and cargo safe, even when the platform you’re on isn’t brand-new.

Common misconceptions that drift around the harbor

• “Older ships don’t have to follow any COLREGs.” Not true. They follow the general rule structure as applicable, plus the broader safety and environmental obligations. They’re not immune; they’re simply subject to certain exemptions for specific general rules.

• “All vessels under a certain size are exempt.” Size alone isn’t the determining factor. The exemption is tied to construction date, not the length of the vessel, so a compact older boat may still face many general rules if it’s a later-in-service design or operates under certain conditions.

• “Dry dock status saves a vessel from rules.” Dry docking affects maintenance and certain dockside requirements, but it doesn’t magically exempt a vessel from the general collision avoidance framework when it’s underway.

A few real-world considerations you’ll hear about

• Navigation gear and bridge procedures. Older ships may rely more on established routines and local procedures, while newer ships might lean on advanced automation and sensors. The human factor—clear communication, decisive actions, and teamwork—remains central in any case.

• International and local variation. COLREGs are international, but enforcement and interpretation can vary by region. Mariners must be familiar with local port state controls and the specific practices in the waters they operate.

• Training and certification. Even exempt vessels benefit from ongoing training for the crew. Knowledge of COLREGs, good watchkeeping practices, and the ability to adapt to traffic conditions keep everyone safer.

A quick, useful checklist for coastal navigation with older ships

• Know your vessel’s construction date and the specific exemptions that may apply.

• Maintain a vigilant lookout and communicate intentions early with standard signals and lights.

• Keep speed appropriate to the conditions and nearby traffic.

• Respect traffic separation schemes and stay in safe lanes where they exist.

• Verify that essential safety equipment is ready, crew is trained, and engines can respond promptly.

• Use charts and radios to confirm positions and intentions with nearby vessels.

• Practice good seamanship: anticipate, communicate, act, and reassess.

The bigger picture: why this nuance matters

This isn’t just trivia for students or skippers with a fondness for antique hulls. It’s about balancing respect for history with the realities of modern maritime operations. Ships built decades ago still move cargo, carry people, and connect ports around the world. The exemptions reflect a thoughtful approach: recognize the constraints of older designs while preserving safety standards that protect lives and the marine environment.

If you’re studying COLREGs, this nuance is a helpful anchor. It reminds you that rules aren’t carved in stone in a vacuum. They exist inside a living system that grows with technology, ship design, and the evolving needs of global trade. Understanding which vessels get exemptions—and why—helps you see the bigger logic behind the Rules of the Road.

To sum it up in a sentence: vessels constructed before a certain date enjoy exemptions from some general COLREGs rules, because older designs don’t always fit the modern norm, but they still must sail with safety, responsibility, and environmental care at the forefront.

A note on language and learning on the water

If you’re out there listening to the engines hum and feeling the salt air, remember this: the rules aren’t just about ticking boxes. They’re about predictable, courteous, and safe behavior. When you know why certain exemptions exist, you gain a deeper sense of how the law and daily seamanship fit together. And that grounded understanding makes you a more capable mariner, not just someone who can recite the rules by memory.

So the next time someone asks you a quick trivia question about COLREGs exemptions, you’ll have more than a one-liner. You’ll have the story behind the rule, the why, and how it plays out on the water where it matters most: in safety, in efficiency, and in the simple, stubborn fact that good navigation is good judgment on a moving stage.