Head-on situation
In plain language
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.
Full text of Rule 14
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.
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.
When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.
Reproduced from the COLREGs 1972 (as amended) for study. Always verify against the official IMO publication.
Key points
- 1
Both vessels alter to starboard — this is the classic case where each gives way.
- 2
At night you see both sidelights and both masthead lights in line.
- 3
In doubt whether a head-on situation exists, assume it does and act accordingly.