Brief #001 · RULE 15

Who has to turn?

Rules of the road

Five quick situations on the water and who has to turn in each: crossing from the right or left, head-on, overtaking, and power meeting sail.

Open water, boats under way. Narrow channels, big ships and inland waters have extra rules.

Transcript

Two boats. One collision course. Who has to turn?

She's coming from your right. That makes you the give-way boat.

Turn to starboard, early and big, and pass behind her.

Now she's on your left. This time, she gives way. You hold your course and speed, but keep watching her.

Head-on? Nobody stands on. You both turn right, and pass port to port.

Catching up from behind? That's on you. The overtaking boat keeps clear, whichever side it passes.

And under power, you give way to a boat under sail.

Boat on your right? You turn. Follow for the next brief.

Sources

1. COLREGs Rule 8, Action to avoid collision
2. COLREGs Rule 13, Overtaking
3. COLREGs Rule 14, Head-on situation
4. COLREGs Rule 15, Crossing situation
5. COLREGs Rule 16, Action by give-way vessel
6. COLREGs Rule 17, Action by stand-on vessel
7. COLREGs Rule 18, Responsibilities between vessels