§ 2006. Safe speed (Rule 6)
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:
(a)
By all vessels:
(i)
the state of visibility;
(ii)
the traffic density including concentration of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
(iii)
the maneuverability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
(iv)
at night the presence of background light such as from shores lights or from back scatter of her own lights;
(v)
the state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards;
(vi)
the draft in relation to the available depth of water.
(b)
Additionally, by vessels with operational radar:
(i)
the characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment;
(ii)
any constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use;
(iii)
the effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather, and other sources of interference;
(iv)
the possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range;
(v)
the number, location, and movement of vessels detected by radar; and
(vi)
the more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity.