COLREGS are quite simply the 'highway code' or 'rules of the road' when at sea. A commonly held misconception is that COLREGS are a guidance to help skippers understand who has right of way.Wrong. They are the law and a proven breach may lead to prosecution, even if a collision hasn’t occurred. COLREGS set out the conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility, specifically when in sight of each other, and also in or near areas with restricted visibility.They make it clear when you are the stand on vessel, the give way vessel and the correct action to take when in close quarters with other vessels to avoid a collision. They also help you to anticipate the actions of another vessel. The Standards for Conversions and Renovations provide guidance on the type of project that will be acceptable to NHBC, the scope of the survey(s) and work that will be required. Ultimately preventing a collision is the single most important thing. So, if the action of the give way vessel alone isn’t sufficient to prevent a collision or it takes no action at all, the stand on vessel must also take action. If a collision does occur, then both vessels may be found to be at fault to a certain extent. Get to grips with the rules of the road

Chapter 5.3 - new guidance on inspection chambers plus additional guidance on surface soakaway design for gardens less than 100m2 in area. Although a good knowledge of all COLREGS is essential, the steering and sailing rules set out in Part B (Rules 4-19) are the ones likely to be most significant to small boats operating in daylight, with good weather or restricted visibility. As well as more minor changes to Chapters 3.3, 5.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.7, 6.8, 9.5, the following major technical changes have been made to this edition of the Standards: This essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations will form the national standard to which all new electrical installations and additions, and alterations to existing electrical installations in the UK are to comply.

Chapter7.2 - updates to underlay and sarking, ventilation; vapour control and insulation; battens, fixing of tiles and slates; valleys and hidden gutters and traditional roof arrangements; protection of trussed rafter roofs and bracing requirements CEF's Head of Technical Solutions Darren Staniforth and electrical legend Dave Austin will give you the lowdown:

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship course is a great supporting course for those new to boating, or as a refresher, and is available in a classroom or online. Finally don’t forget, if you do find yourself of need of legal advice relating to the COLREGS, the RYA Legal team can assist all RYA members with free guidance on the interpretation and scope and application of the rules. Chapters 8.1 to 8.3 - amended in readiness for the carbon reduction requirements expected in the Future Homes Standard. New guidance on heat pump design and specification/certification requirements; solar thermal systems; space heating systems Chapter 6.1 - new guidance on the provision of horizontal movement joints on masonry clad buildings and increasing cavity wall performance standards Chapter 5.4 - guidance on the protection of below ground structures against water ingress to align with BS 8102:2022

Of course, you should continually assess the situation around you to determine if you think a potential collision situation exists. You need to establish what action is expected of the vessels involved, when the action should be taken and whether the action of the give way vessel alone will be sufficient to prevent the collision. Join CEF in partnership with the IET at a free TechTalk designed to help you understand how the latest changes to the 18th Edition wiring regulations affect you. Amendment 2 comes into effect immediately and the previous version will be withdrawn six months later. The IET and BSI urge all electrical professionals to ensure they become familiar with the changes.

Some of these are general good behaviour rules while others are very specific, prescribed obligations. There are also four annexes which are often ignored. These cover the positioning and technical details of lights and shapes, additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity, technical details of sound signal appliances and distress signals. NHBC Standards technical enquiry Products, materials, systems Timber frame or light steel frame Technical acceptance Other Today, 28th March 2022, sees the publication of Amendment 2 to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. This update to the rules which the electrical industry must follow is designed to ensure industry regulations keep pace with technological change to maintain safe and efficient electrical installations. What this means for electrical contractors There are 38 separate rules within the COLREGS although some of the regulations are only mandatory for larger vessel, in principle they do apply to all vessels.The NHBC Standards define the technical requirements and performance standards for the design and construction of new homes registered with us and provide guidance on how these can be achieved. The six-month transition period allows electrical contractors to understand and apply the changes outlined in the amendment. From September 2022, anyone working in the electrical sector must comply with the latest regulations set out in Amendment 2. The standards that we, the SRA, and the public expect of individuals (solicitors, registered European lawyers and registered foreign lawyers). Additionally, the part C lights and shapes rules dictate not only what day shapes and navigation lights a vessel must display to indicate its status to other vessels, but when and what sound and light signals it must make. For example, rule 9 determines, amongst other things, that a small vessel must not impede a vessel that is so big it can only navigate safely in a narrow channel or fairway.