Sorry, they are international rules. The US has a slightly modified
version for inland waters. From the introduction to the US edition:

INTRODUCTION
International Rules
The International Rules in this book were formalized in the
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972, and became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules
(commonly called 72 COLREGS) are part of the Convention, and
vessels flying the flags of states ratifying the treaty are bound to the
Rules. The United States has ratified this treaty and all United States
flag vessels must adhere to these Rules where applicable. President
Gerald R. Ford proclaimed 72 COLREGS and the Congress adopted
them as the International Navigational Rules Act of 1977.
The 72 COLREGS were developed by the Inter-Governmental
Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) which in May 1982 was
renamed the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In November
1981, IMO’s Assembly adopted 55 amendments to the 72 COLREGS
which became effective on June 1, 1983. The IMO also adopted 9
more amendments which became effective on November 19, 1989.
The International Rules in this book contain these amendments.
These Rules are applicable on waters outside of established navigational
lines of demarcation. The lines are called COLREGS
Demarcation Lines and delineate those waters upon which mariners
shall comply with the Inland and International Rules. COLREGS
Demarcation Lines are contained in this book.


And single handers have been held liable when their lack of a lookout is
the cause of a collision.
Here's the court ruling from such a case:
http://207.41.17.117/ISYSquery/IRLF610.tmp/1/doc



Remco Moedt wrote:
On Mon, 7 Feb 2005 19:59:05 -0500, =?Windows-1252?Q?Capt._Neal=AE?=
wrote:


The official crime:

MacArthur's journey began Nov. 28.
Since then, she has slept an average
of 30 minutes at a time and four hours
in any day.

In other words she did not comply with
the COLREGS where it states the following:

Rule 5
Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper
look-out by sight as well as by hearing as well
as by all available means appropriate in the
prevailing circumstances and conditions so as
to make a full appraisal of the situation and
of the risk of collision.


She should be arrested!


AFAIK the COLREGS only apply to American waters (correct me when I'm
wrong, but somehow I've a feeling I don't need to ask this g)

Cheers!

Remco