E
1-8
RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING
VESSELS
There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which
could lead to a collision unless the
Steering Rules are followed:
Meeting
(you are approaching another vessel
head-on)
Crossing
(you are traveling across the other
vessel’s path)
Overtaking
(you are passing or being passed by
another vessel)
In the following illustration, your boat is
in the center. You should give the right-of-
way to any vessels shown in white area
(you are the Give-Way vessel). Any ves-
sels in the shaded area must yield to you
(they are the Give-Way vessels). Both you
and the meeting vessel must alter course
to avoid each other.
Meeting
If you are meeting another power vessel
head on, and are close enough to run the
risk of collision, neither of you has the
right-of-way! Both of you should alter
course to avoid an accident. You should
keep the other vessel on your port (left)
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side. This rule doesn’t apply if both of you
will clear one another if you continue on
your set course and speed.
Crossing
When two power driven vessels are
crossing each other’s path close enough
to run the risk of collision, the vessel
which has the other on the starboard
(right) side must keep out of the way of
the other. If the other vessel is on your
right, you must keep out of its way; you
are the Give-Way vessel. If the other ves-
sel is on your port (left) side, remember
that you should maintain course and
direction, provided the other vessel gives
you the right-of-way as it should.
Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you are
the “Give-Way” vessel. This means that
the other vessel is expected to maintain
its course and speed. You must stay out
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