Overtaking (Figure 4-6)
Meeting (Figures 4-7 and 4-8)
Crossing (Figure 4-9)
Overtaking (Rule 13a & b)
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained
in the Rules 4 -18, any vessel overtaking
any other shall keep out of the way of
the vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking
when coming up with a another
vessel from a direction more than 22.5
degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a
position with reference to the vessel she
is overtaking, that at night she would
be able to see only the sternlight of that
vessel but neither of her sidelights.
Overtaking is passing another vessel
from astern. You, the give-way vessel, may
overtake to your port or starboard side, but
you must provide clear indications by sound
signals or radio or both of your intentions,
recognizing that you are the give-way vessel
regardless of your type of vessel. Using
Inland Rules, the overtaken or stand on
vessel is to answer your signal with concurrence,
or non-concurrence if such action
is not agreed. The status of a sailing vessel
changes from stand-on to give-way status
when over taking any vessel, including a
power vessel. If you are the stand-on vessel
and the give-way vessel is not in compliance,
invoke Rule 2 with actions to avoid collision.
Head-on Situation (Rule 14)
(a) Unless otherwise agreed when two power
driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal
or nearly reciprocal courses so as
to involve risk of collision each shall
alter her course to starboard so that each
shall pass on the port side of the other.
(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to
exist when a vessel sees the other ahead
or nearly ahead and by night she could
see the masthead lights of the other in a
line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights
and by day she observes the corresponding
aspect of the other vessel.
Section 4: Navigation Rules 57
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to
whether such a situation exists she shall
assume that it does exist and act accordingly.
When powerboats approach each other
nearly head-on they are considered to be in
a meeting situation. In meeting situations,
both vessels are considered give-way vessels
and each must take action to avoid collision.
See “RIGHT OF WAY-Special Situation
on the DEFINITIONS page regarding
barge traffic in restricted areas. See Rule 18
when sailboat(s) are involved. Since both
vessels are designated give-way it is important
that both turn to starboard to avoid
collision.
Crossing Situation (Rule 15)
(a) When two power-driven vessels are
crossing so as to involve risk of collision,
the vessel which has the other on
her own starboard side shall keep out of
the way and shall, if the circumstances
of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead
of the other vessel.
Application of crossing rules is dependent
on the relative position of the other
vessel. In general, consider any vessel in a
sector on your starboard from dead ahead to
22.5 degrees abaft the starboard beam (112.5
degrees relative) in your danger zone, relative
positioning that designates you the give
way vessel to any other vessel in the sector.
Your early action confirming to boats in the
sector your give way status include clearly
changing course to pass astern, slowing to
cause relative bearing change, or a combination
of both. See Rule 18 when sailboats
are involved. If you are the stand-on vessel
and the give way vessel is not incompliance,
invoke Rule 2 and avoid collision.
Action by Give-way Vessel
(Rule 16)
Every vessel which is directed to keep out
of the way of another vessel shall, so far as
possible, take early and substantial action
to keep well clear.
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