According to the order of precedence, which type of vessel comes first?

In maritime navigation, the "order of precedence" refers to the hierarchy established by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) regarding which vessels have the right of way in various situations. The order is critical in helping to determine how vessels should interact with one another to prevent collisions.

Vessels that are "Not Under Command" (NUC) are given the highest priority in terms of right of way. A vessel is classified as NUC when it is unable to maneuver as required by the rules due to some exceptional circumstance, which means it cannot take action to avoid collision. This classification emphasizes the need for other vessels to exercise caution and provide suitable navigation room for NUC vessels, as they may pose a higher risk if they cannot move out of the way.

Following NUC vessels, those that are Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver (RAM) come next in terms of priority, which includes vessels engaged in activities like laying cable or working equipment that impacts their navigational ability. Although both NUC and RAM have significant restrictions, NUC is prioritized due to the complete lack of ability to maneuver.

Understanding this order is essential for safe navigation and collision avoidance, reinforcing why "Not Under Command" vessels take precedence over