E

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 travelling across the other ves- sel’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 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.

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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) side. This rule doesn’t apply if both of you will clear one another if you continue on your set course and speed.

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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 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.

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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 of its

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