Last-minute maneuvers
The last-minute maneuver is a maneuver used in shipping to avoid a collision.
In the event of a collision course between two vessels (course holder and person obliged to give way), the skipper of the ship not obliged to give way ( course holder ) must use the last-minute maneuver to try to prevent a possible collision or to keep the consequences (damage) of the collision as low as possible. Before doing this, the course holder should give five short tones with the whistle in order to point out the evasive duty to the evasive duty and observe him closely.
The maneuver at the last moment must be carried out by the course holder in accordance with the Collision Prevention Rules (KVR) Rule 17b at the latest when the ship obliged to evade can no longer prevent a collision with its own maneuver . The maneuver can or should be initiated earlier, covered by Rule 17a of the KVR.
The last minute maneuver is usually carried out in such a way that the course holder steers his own ship in the same direction of travel and on a parallel course to the ship of the person obliged to give way.
Normally, the ship's officer in charge will regularly observe the courses of the surrounding ships and, if necessary, change their own course or speed in good time so that a dangerous approach to other ships is avoided. For this purpose, the courses of the other ships are continuously monitored . Only when the bearing is stationary is there a timely response, i.e. the course or speed is changed.
literature
- Walter Helmers: Important maneuvering properties - The maneuver of the last moment. Schiffahrts-Verlag, trade journal "Hansa", C. Schroedter & Co., Hamburg, article issue 22 and special issue 24, November 1961
