# Navigation Rules — Boating Regulations

> Comprehensive boating regulations reference with search and favorites. (iPhone/iPad app by Calculated Industries.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navigation-rules/id327936562 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Calculated Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/370406449)
- Category: Reference, Navigation
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 386 App Store ratings · 63 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: +4
- Requires: iOS 9.3 · 35 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-08-29
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navigation-rules/id327936562/reviews.md

## What is Navigation Rules?

Navigation Rules contains a complete copy of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS), including amendments and the Inland Navigation Rules, in effect for all inland waters, including the Great Lakes. App is COLREGs most recent version dated - June 28th, 2019.

This app includes an annotated table of contents and a search function to help the reader quickly find the rule and related references.  A Favorites page allows quick access to commonly referenced pages.  Use the email function to share a page with others. 

If you are a boater you need to know this information.

You might also be interested in our other boating apps:

- Boater’s Pocket Reference
- Boating Calcs
- Seamanship
- Ship Captain's Medical Guide

## Key features

- COLREGs and Inland Navigation Rules
- Annotated table of contents
- Search function
- Favorites page
- Email sharing

## What do users think of Navigation Rules?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to navigate and user-friendly interface
- 📚 Comprehensive reference material for navigation rules
- 🚀 Quick access to rules on-the-go
- 🎓 Excellent study tool for maritime exams and licenses
- 📖 Well-organized table of contents and structure
- 🖼️ Visual diagrams and light illustrations helpful for understanding
- 🔍 Good search functionality
- ⭐ Reliable and accurate content matching official rules
- 📱 Convenient portable alternative to physical books
- 🎯 Bookmarking and favorites feature

**Cons**

- 🐛 Poor navigation between rules requires multiple menu presses
- 📄 Walls of text with limited visual content
- 🎨 Inconsistent formatting in some sections (e.g., 8F(iii))
- ❌ Limited additional features beyond basic text content
- 🔄 Clicking definitions forces users to search for original page again
- ⚠️ Misleading app description regarding graphics and features
- 🌍 No clear differentiation between international and inland rules
- 📊 Lacks interactive elements like quizzes or tests

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Formatting inconsistency in rule 8F(iii)
- Navigation issues when jumping between non-sequential rules
- Definition links don't provide easy return to original page
- Typos present in content

**Most requested features**

- Quiz or test functionality for self-assessment
- Easier rule-to-rule navigation without menu cycling
- More visual illustrations and diagrams throughout
- Back button functionality when accessing definitions
- Option to separate international and inland rules
- Interactive flashcards for light signals
- Additional bells and whistles beyond basic manual content

## Recent user reviews (10 of 63)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navigation-rules/id327936562/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Excellent t mobile source!

*2024-07-05, version 4.1.9*

Quick reference!
Excellent study material!

### 5/5 — Required Reading!

*2023-07-24, version 4.1.9*

Great format, easy to navigate around. Every boater should take the time to read cover to cover and review periodically to have a reasonable command of their specific responsibilities when under way on the water.

### 2/5 — Not very good

*2021-04-06, version 4.1.4*

Just walls of text with, ironically, poor navigation around them. Quite disappointed.

### 3/5 — Good to have on phone

*2020-08-28, version 4.1.4*

Good app with info I need. Few improvements required though. Changing from rule to rule not in sequence means having to press menu, then Part then Rule. It needs to be easier to select a specific rule more quickly.

8F (iii) is not correctly formatted to match (i) and (ii).

Visualisation of lights on ships for Part C is a good way to help with the description of what’s required. This could be used in other rules as well such as Rule 9 and 10.

### 5/5 — Perfect.

*2018-10-11*

Perfect guide. But need to add special regulations for Singapore strait, Suez Canal and Asia region.

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2018-01-23, version 4.1.0*

Great app easy to read and understand!

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2017-08-09, version 4.1.0*

See above

### 4/5 — 🙌🙌

*2017-07-20, version 4.1.0*

👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

### 5/5 — Easy to use and keep on hand

*2017-06-17, version 4.0*

All vessels are required to keep a copy of the rules on board. This set is very easy to use to enable finding the applicable rule quickly. I look forward to it keeping my set of rules up to date.

### 5/5 — Great one

*2017-05-23, version 4.0*

Good none

## Frequently asked questions about Navigation Rules

### What regulations does this app cover?

This app contains the complete International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), including amendments. It also includes the Inland Navigation Rules, which are in effect for all inland waters, including the Great Lakes.

### How can I quickly find specific rules?

The app features an annotated table of contents and a powerful search function. These tools allow you to quickly locate any specific rule and its related references within the regulations.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, based on the provided information, this app is available for free and does not appear to have advertisements or in-app purchases.

### Who would benefit from using this app?

Any boater, from recreational users to professional mariners, would benefit from having this comprehensive and easily accessible reference to essential navigation rules. It's crucial for safe and legal boating.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1.9 — 2021-12-07

Fix to Fishing Vessels Engaged in Fishing - Rule 26

### 4.1.8 — 2021-12-02

Fix to share feature

### 4.1.7 — 2021-10-05

Under the cover revision

### 4.1.6 — 2021-05-05

Fixed SOS morse code.

### 4.1.5 — 2021-04-30

Updated a few images.

## Apps similar to Navigation Rules

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Shellback](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellback/id955157952) | 3.2 (38) | Free | Reference |
| [eSUPPO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esuppo/id1102534585) | 3.5 (6) | Free | Reference |

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All apps by Calculated Industries: https://appshunter.io/developer/370406449

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*