As of March 12, 2024, under Official Gazette No. 32487, Presidential Decree No. 8258 has annulled the “Regulation on Preventing Collisions at Sea” (“DÇÖT”), which was enforced by the Council of Ministers Decision No. 7/14561 dated December 12, 1977, and published the “Regulation on Preventing Collisions at Sea” prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey, which has now come into effect.
The new Regulation, in line with the annulled DÇÖT provisions, aims to determine the signals, lights, and maneuvers that all vessels, regardless of their flag, navigating within the Turkish maritime jurisdiction or the waters where high seas vessels may operate, must carry and display to prevent collisions at sea. It also covers the rules of navigation and other regulations, as well as any signals that must be given in case of distress to request assistance. The regulation applies to all vessels in Turkish maritime jurisdiction and the waters where high seas vessels may navigate.
As stated in Article 5 titled “Rules and Obligations,” vessels, regardless of their flag, operating in Turkish maritime zones or in waters where high seas vessels may operate, are obligated to comply with the rules stipulated in the International Convention for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREG 72, 1972), in addition to the provisions of this Regulation. The new Regulation is primarily based on the COLREG 72 rules. The procedures for implementing the provisions of this Regulation and the COLREG 72 Convention will be determined by the Ministry.
According to the second paragraph of Article 5 of the Regulation, the current text of the COLREG 72 Convention will be published on the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Navigation’s official website. Additionally, all Turkish vessels subject to this Regulation are required to carry a copy of this Regulation and the current text of the COLREG 72 Convention, which are considered essential documents of the vessel.
Finally, under Article 6 titled “Measures and Non-compliance with Legislation,” it is stipulated that necessary measures will be taken against vessels found to be violating the provisions of the legislation, and legal actions will be initiated in accordance with the relevant legislation.
The provisions of this Regulation, published on March 12, 2024, have come into effect and will be enforced by the President of the Republic of Turkey.
- You can access the Official Gazette dated March 12, 2024, and the Regulation on Preventing Collisions at Sea enacted by Presidential Decree No. 8258 from the provided links.
- If you require further detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact us via the contact numbers below at any time.
