In considering the implications for yachtsmen, cruisers as well as racers, of the new Collision Regulations which came into force on 15 July 1977, it is worth recording that Imco-recommended traffic separation schemes were first published in 1967 and that there are now nearly one hundred schemes throughout the world, about ten of which are within the normal cruising grounds of British based yachts. On 1 September 1972 the British government introduced legislation making compliance with the recommendations mandatory for all United Kingdom registered vessels. Ten other countries have followed suit but a significant exception, at least as far as yachting is concerned, has been France. However from 15 July 1977, under Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, compliance is required of all vessels. The word ‘vessel’ is defined in new Rule 3 as including ‘…every description of watercraft…’.