Rules Of the Road

When three power-driven vessels are meeting, as shown in the diagram, and there is risk of collision:

• Vessel 'A' should give way to vessel 'B'

• Vessel 'A' should give way to vessel 'C'

• Vessel 'A' should give way to vessel 'B' & 'C'

When two power-driven vessels are crossing, and there is risk of collision, as shown in the diagram, if vessel 'X' fails to take appropriate action to avoid collision:

• Vessel 'Y' should alter to port to avoid collision

• Vessel 'Y' should stop or slow down or alter to starboard

• Vessel 'Y' should stand on

A vessel using a Traffic Separation Scheme shall:

• Use high power engines

• So far as practicable keep near to a traffic-separation line or separation zone

• Proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow of that lane

A vessel using a Traffic Separation Scheme:

• So far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone

• So far as practicable stay near to a traffic separation or separation zone

• Use high power engines

A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid crossing traffic lane, but if obliged to do so shall:

• Cross at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as is safe and practicable

• Cross as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of the traffic flow

• Use high power engines

When a sailing vessel 'S' are meeting head-on with the powered-driven vessel 'P', involving risk of collision as shown:

• Both vessel 'S' and 'P' shall alter course to starboard

• Vessel 'S' should give way to vessel 'P'

• Vessel 'P' should give way to vessel 'S'

When a power-driven vessel 'P' proceeding along the fairway meets a fishing vessel 'F' crossing the fairway:

• Vessel 'F' should give way to vessel 'P'

• Vessel 'P' should give way to vessel 'F'

• Both vessels should give way to each other

Where a power-driven vessel 'X' is overtaking power-driven vessel 'Y', if vessel 'X' fails to take effective action to avoid collision:

• Vessel 'Y' should hold her course and speed

• Both vessel 'X' and 'Y' should give way to each other

• Vessel 'Y' should take action to avoid collision

A vessel nearing a bend or an area of channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscure by an intervening obstruction should sound:

• One prolonged blast

• Two prolonged blast

• Three prolonged blast

When two power-driven vessels 'X' and 'Y' are crossing, involving a risk of collision:

• Vessel 'Y' should give way to vessel 'X'

• Vessel 'X' should give way to vessel 'Y'

• Both vessels should give way to each other