What do the collision regulations of 1862 primarily address?

The collision regulations of 1862, commonly referred to as the first international rules for preventing collisions at sea, primarily focus on the lighting and signaling of vessels to ensure safe navigation and mutual understanding between ships in close proximity. These regulations established specific guidelines indicating how vessels should display their lights and sound signals to convey their intentions, thus reducing the risks of accidents during navigation. By standardizing these practices, the regulations aimed to improve maritime safety significantly, allowing mariners to better predict the movements of other vessels and take appropriate actions to avoid collisions.

In contrast, other options do not directly pertain to the primary purpose of the 1862 regulations. Ship construction standards are governed by different sets of regulations and standards aimed at ensuring the seaworthiness of vessels. Environmental protections fall under a separate body of maritime law and treaties that focus on reducing pollution and protecting marine ecosystems. Loading and unloading protocols relate to cargo operations and safety procedures, which are essential components of maritime operations but are not the focus of the regulations established in 1862. Thus, the correct answer highlights the critical aspect of maritime safety concerning vessel signaling that the regulations aimed to standardize.