Efforts to Implement the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) to Prevent Collisions on Board the SPB. Sainty Giant
Main Article Content
Abstract
The implementation of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) 1972 is essential for ensuring navigational safety in Indonesia’s strategic waters, where dense international shipping traffic increases collision risks. Although COLREGs have been widely examined, studies specifically addressing watchkeeping responsibilities and navigational aid utilization on Self-Propelled Barges (SPB) in Indonesian crossing situations remain limited. This study aims to analyze the implementation of COLREGs in preventing collisions on SPB Sainty Giant, particularly during crossing situations. A descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design was employed, involving three informants consisting of the Chief Officer, Second Officer, and Able-Bodied Seaman, who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies, and were analyzed thematically through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that the implementation of COLREGs on SPB Sainty Giant remains suboptimal, as reflected in watchkeeping officers arriving exactly at the start of their watch without sufficient handover time, crew fatigue caused by excessive daytime workload, and inadequate radar adjustment to weather conditions, which resulted in small vessels remaining undetected. These findings highlight the importance of watchkeeping discipline, navigational aid optimization, and crew competency in strengthening collision prevention. This study contributes to maritime navigation and safety literature by extending understanding of COLREGs application in SPB operations. The practical implications emphasize the need for shipping companies and ship masters to improve watchkeeping procedures, provide regular Radar ARPA training, and strengthen crew understanding of COLREGs through simulation-based training. Further research is recommended to examine COLREGs implementation across different vessel types and shipping routes in Indonesian waters.
Downloads
Article Details

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Agastia, I. G. B. D., & Perwita, A. A. B. (2016). Indonesia’s maritime axis and the security of sea lanes of communications (SLOCs) in the Indo-Pacific. Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 5(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.18196/hi.2016.0081.10-21
Asana, I. M. D. P., Widyantara, I. M. O., Linawati, Wiharta, D. M., & Wikananda, I. G. N. S. (2025). Real-time web-based ship collision risk detection using AIS data and collision risk index (CRI). Sinkron: Jurnal dan Penelitian Teknik Informatika, 9(4), 1942–1952. https://doi.org/10.33395/sinkron.v9i4.15106
Barasa, L., Simanjuntak, M., & Syafitra, B. W. (2025). Factors affecting the safety climate of the ship’s crew: Empirical evidence from shipping companies in Indonesia. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 41(2), 75–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsl.2025.02.001
Bogalecka, M. (2024). Collision and contact: Analysis of accidents at sea. TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, 18(1), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.12716/1001.18.01.06
Bowo, L. P., Prilana, R. E., & Furusho, M. (2020). A modified HEART–4M method with TOPSIS for analyzing Indonesia collision accidents. TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, 14(3), 751–759. https://doi.org/10.12716/1001.14.03.30
Chen, P., Huang, Y., Mou, J., & van Gelder, P. H. A. J. M. (2019). Probabilistic risk analysis for ship-ship collision: State-of-the-art. Safety Science, 117, 108–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.04.014
Corrigan, S., Kay, A., Ryan, M., Brazil, B., & Ward, M. E. (2020). Human factors & safety culture: Challenges & opportunities for the port environment. Safety Science, 125, Article 103854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.02.030
Crestelo Moreno, F., Soto-López, V., García Maza, J. A., & Sernaglia, M. (2026). Fatigue as a latent risk factor in maritime safety systems: A systematic review and implications for reliability analysis. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 267, Article 111930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2025.111930
Feng, Z., Wang, H., & Liu, Y. (2026). Research on ship collision avoidance decision-making based on COLREGs. Applied Sciences, 16(3), Article 1365. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031365
Firdaus, M. I., Zaman, M. B., & Gurning, R. O. S. (2026). A comprehensive review of ship collision risk assessment and safety index development. Safety, 12(2), Article 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety12020057
García Maza, J. A., Argüelles, R. P., de los Santos, M., & Pajón, J. L. (2022). COLREGs and their application in collision avoidance algorithms: A critical analysis. Ocean Engineering, 261, Article 112029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112029
Heffernan, I., & O’Mahony, T. (2024). A comparison study of senior and junior deck officers’ interpretations of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. The Journal of Navigation, 77(4), 457–468. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0373463324000432
Jaram, H., Vidan, P., Vukša, S., & Pavić, I. (2021). Situational awareness: Key safety factor for the officer of the watch. Pedagogy, 93(7s), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.53656/ped21-7s.20situ
Kufoalor, D. K. M., Johansen, T. A., Brekke, E. F., Hepsø, A., & Trnka, K. (2020). Autonomous maritime collision avoidance: Field verification of autonomous surface vehicle behavior in challenging scenarios. Journal of Field Robotics, 37(3), 387–403. https://doi.org/10.1002/rob.21919
Mizythras, P., Pollalis, C., Boulougouris, E., & Theotokatos, G. (2021). A novel decision support methodology for oceangoing vessel collision avoidance. Ocean Engineering, 230, Article 109004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109004
Nugroho, T. F., Artana, K. B., Dinariyana, A. A. B., Suwardana, Z. F., & Javanica, F. H. (2024). Formal safety assessment of the connection of the Sunda Strait and Java Sea through the implementation of IMO routeing measures. Journal of ETA Maritime Science, 12(3), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.4274/jems.2024.81567
Olaniyi, E. O., Solarte-Vasquez, M. C., & Inkinen, T. (2024). Smart regulations in maritime governance: Efficacy, gaps, and stakeholder perspectives. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 202, Article 116341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116341
Prasetya, P., Nazarwin, & Seno, A. (2022). Analisis Penyebab Terjadinya Overheat pada Main Engine di Kapal Self Propelled Oil Barge Tirta Samudra XVIII. Jurnal Cakrawala Bahari, 5(2), 5–10. https://doi.org/10.70031/jkb.v5i2.50
Suvica, J. R., Zakki, A. F., & Samuel. (2022). Analisis Tubrukan pada Haluan Kapal SPOB Adeline 1459GT dengan Oil Tanker MT Kuang 5263GT Menggunakan Elemen Hingga. Jurnal Teknik Perkapalan, 10(3), 1–10. https://ejournal3.undip.ac.id/index.php/naval/article/view/33127
Uğurlu, H., Djecevic, O., & Çiçek, İ. (2024). A conceptual COLREGs-based obstacle avoidance algorithm implementing dynamic path planning and collision risk assessment. Journal of ETA Maritime Science, 12(4), 377–394. https://doi.org/10.4274/jems.2024.35682
Wuryaningrum, N. D., Putranta, A. A. B. D. D., & Pratiwi, E. (2024). Evaluation of ship collision frequency on the implementation of Sunda Strait TSS using IWRAP method. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2927(1), Article 050012. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0192961
Yanuar, Waskito, K. T., Pratama, S. Y., Candra, B. D., & Rahmat, B. A. (2018). Comparison of microbubble and air layer injection with porous media for drag reduction on a self-propelled barge ship model. Journal of Marine Science and Application, 17(2), 165–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-018-0028-2




















