COLREGs · IRPCS · IALA Buoyage
Learn the COLREGs online and pass your exam with confidence
The complete online course for the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and IALA buoyage. Every Rule explained in plain English, with over a thousand exam-style questions on lights, shapes, sound signals and buoyage.
- Instant access
- Phone, tablet or computer
- Secure payment by Stripe
Reading the Rules isn’t the same as knowing them
The Collision Regulations, also called the COLREGs or IRPCS, are the rules of the road at sea. Examiners don’t just ask you to recite them: they want to know what you would do. Which vessel gives way? What do those lights tell you at night? Which side do you pass that buoy?
Learn the COLREGs turns the Rules into knowledge you can use. Each Rule is set out as it’s written, explained in practical terms, then tested with questions and real-life scenarios until it sticks, so you walk into your exam, or onto the bridge, knowing exactly what to do.
- All 41 Rules and the four Annexes explained
- Navigation lights, day shapes and sound signals
- IALA buoyage: lateral, cardinal and special marks
- Exam-style questions with instant marking
- Your scores and weak spots, so you know what to revise
What’s included: the complete COLREGs and IALA buoyage syllabus
Every Part of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, plus the IALA Maritime Buoyage System, Rule by Rule.
Part A · Rules 1–3
General
Where the Rules apply, who is responsible, and the definitions everything else depends on: power-driven vessels, sailing vessels, “underway”, restricted visibility and more.
Part B · Rules 4–19
Steering and sailing
Lookout, safe speed and risk of collision, narrow channels and traffic separation schemes, overtaking, head-on and crossing situations, and conduct in restricted visibility.
Part C · Rules 20–31
Lights and shapes
Masthead lights, sidelights and sternlights, towing and pushing, fishing vessels, vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, pilot vessels and vessels at anchor.
Part D · Rules 32–37
Sound and light signals
Manoeuvring and warning signals, sound signals in restricted visibility, signals to attract attention and distress signals.
Parts E & F · Rules 38–41 and Annexes I–IV
Exemptions, verification and Annexes
Exemptions, verification of compliance, and the four Annexes: positioning of lights and shapes, extra signals for fishing vessels, sound signal appliances and distress signals.
Buoyage course
IALA buoyage and lights
IALA Regions A and B, lateral and cardinal marks, isolated danger, safe water and special marks, the emergency wreck marking buoy, and how to read light characteristics.
Who it’s for
Whether it’s your first qualification or your next ticket, the Rules of the Road are at the heart of the exam.
RYA Yachtmaster candidates
Prepare for the Collision Regulations questions in your Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore exam, the ones examiners always ask.
MCA and deck officer students
Revise for MCA oral exams and Officer of the Watch (OOW) studies, with every Rule and Annex covered.
Skippers and boat owners
Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and anyone who wants to be confident and safe on the water, under sail or power.
Why learners choose Learn the COLREGs
Every Rule explained
Each Rule as it’s officially written, then explained in practical, plain-English terms with examples.
Exam-style practice
Over a thousand questions on every Rule, lights and shapes, sound signals and buoyage, marked instantly.
Real-life scenarios
Step-by-step situations based on real events, so you can apply the Rules when it matters.
Daily quizzes
A fresh set of random questions every day to keep your knowledge sharp right up to exam day.
Know what to revise
Your scores, streaks and weak spots in one place, so you spend your time on the Rules you need.
Learn anywhere
On your phone, tablet or computer: in the marina, on watch or at home. Pick up where you left off.
Our courses
Get full access today
Choose the membership that suits your exam date. Instant access to every lesson and quiz it includes, with secure payment by Stripe.
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Join nowFrequently asked questions
What are the COLREGs?
The COLREGs are the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972), set by the International Maritime Organization. They are the “rules of the road” at sea: who gives way, which lights and shapes vessels show, and which sound signals they make. They apply to all vessels on the high seas and connected waters navigable by seagoing vessels.
Are the COLREGs and the IRPCS the same thing?
Yes. COLREGs and IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) are two names for the same Rules. You’ll see both used in RYA and MCA training.
Will this help me pass my Yachtmaster or MCA exam?
The course is designed for exam preparation. It covers every Rule and Annex, and the exam-style questions show you exactly which Rules you need to revise, so you go into your RYA Yachtmaster, MCA oral or Officer of the Watch exam confident about the Collision Regulations.
How quickly can I start?
Straight away. As soon as your payment goes through, your account is created and you can start learning on any device.
How does payment work?
You pay securely by card through Stripe. Depending on the membership you choose, you pay once for a set length of access with no recurring fees.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The courses work on phones, tablets and computers, and remember where you got to, so you can revise wherever you are.
Ready to master the Rules of the Road?
Join today and walk into your exam knowing the COLREGs inside out.