PHOTO: The USS John McCain was on its way to Singapore for a routine port visit. (Reuters: US Navy, file)
The Alnic MC tanker, pictured here outside Singapore, collided with the USS McCain in the early hours of the morning
ABC News Online: USS John McCain Destroyer: Who's At Fault When Ships Collide?
A collision between US Navy warship USS John McCain and oil tanker Alnic MC, that left 10 sailors missing in waters east of Singapore and the Straits of Malacca, begs the question: whose job is it to stop ships crashing into each other?
The rules for ships at sea are known as the COLREGS or the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
They apply to all vessels upon the high sea, whether they be sailing yachts, large ships, tankers or Naval ships.
They also apply to inshore waters, such as Sydney Harbour, but local authorities can add their own regulations as well.
The responsibility for complying with the COLREGS falls entirely to the captains of each vessel. There is no overall director of sea traffic — nothing like air traffic control for planes, or traffic cops for the road.
The most important rule is known as Rule 5, which says to avoid collisions:
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WNU Editor: Either way .... right or wrong .... for the captain of the USS John McCain this will be his last command.
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