RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING VESSELS
There are three main situations that 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 another 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 the white area (you are the give-way vessel). Any vessels 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 acci- dent. You should keep the other vessel on your port (left) side. This rule does not 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 starboard (right) side, you must keep out of its way; you are the give- way vessel. If the other vessel 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.
