Question 1

Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on. What action shall EACH vessel take?

Accepted Answer

Each shall alter course to starboard so as to pass on the port side of the other. Rule 14(a): 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. Both vessels are equally obligated, there is no stand-on vessel in a head-on situation.

Question 2

In a head-on situation under Rule 14, if a vessel is in any doubt whether the situation exists, what shall she assume?

Accepted Answer

It is a head-on situation and act accordingly, altering course to starboard.. Rule 14(c): when a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly. In other words, if in doubt about whether it is a head-on situation, treat it as head-on and alter to starboard. This conservative approach prevents the dangerous situation where both vessels assume they are in a crossing situation and both stand on.

Question 3

Rule 14(b) describes a head-on situation as existing when a vessel sees another vessel ahead or nearly ahead. What lights would confirm this?

Accepted Answer

Two white masthead lights in line and both sidelights. Rule 14(b) describes a head-on situation as existing when a vessel sees another ahead or nearly ahead and, at night, can see that vessel's masthead lights in line or nearly in line and/or both sidelights. Option D is consistent with this description. Aligned masthead lights indicate the other vessel's aspect, but do not by themselves establish reciprocal courses. Rule 14(a) requires two power-driven vessels to be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision; each must then alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other.

Rule 14, questions and explanations

Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on. What action shall EACH vessel take?

In a head-on situation under Rule 14, if a vessel is in any doubt whether the situation exists, what shall she assume?

Rule 14(b) describes a head-on situation as existing when a vessel sees another vessel ahead or nearly ahead. What lights would confirm this?

Practise this properly

Rule 14, questions and explanations

Questions

Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on. What action shall EACH vessel take?

In a head-on situation under Rule 14, if a vessel is in any doubt whether the situation exists, what shall she assume?

Rule 14(b) describes a head-on situation as existing when a vessel sees another vessel ahead or nearly ahead. What lights would confirm this?

Practise this properly