COLREGs · Rule 12 · 33 CFR §83.12
Sailing Vessels
When two sailing vessels are approaching, the vessel with wind on her port side keeps out of the way; if both have wind on the same side, the windward vessel keeps out of the way of the leeward vessel.
What does Rule 12 actually say?#
Source
Practice this rule#
One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.
Under the International Rules, Rule 12 applies only when two sailing vessels are approaching so as to involve ______.
Does Inland Rule 12 change anything?#
Inland Rule 12 is 33 CFR §83.12, reproduced above, and carries no exam-relevant divergence from COLREGs Rule 12. One answer serves both the International and the Inland version of a Rules of the Road question on this rule — which is worth knowing precisely because several neighbouring rules do not work that way.
21 of 38 rules differ somewhere; the five the exam leans on are Rule 9, Rule 10, Rule 24, Rule 28 and Rule 34, side by side on Inland vs International Rules.
Why it shows up on the exam#
Rule 12 governs sail meeting sail only. A sailing vessel meeting a power-driven vessel is a Rule 18 problem, and mixing the two up is the most common way candidates lose this question.
What does the exam actually test here?#
Wind on different sides
Port tack keeps clear
When each vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side keeps out of the way of the other.
Wind on the same side
Windward keeps clear
When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel to windward keeps out of the way of the vessel to leeward.
Doubt
Keep out of the way
If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty which tack that vessel is on, she keeps out of the way. Windward is the side opposite the one the mainsail is carried on — for a square-rigger, opposite the largest fore-and-aft sail.
Rule 12 — common exam questions#
Two sailing vessels are approaching — who gives way?
If they have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on her port side gives way. If they have the wind on the same side, the windward vessel gives way to the leeward vessel (33 CFR §83.12(a)).
Which is the windward side?
The side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried, or for a square-rigged vessel the side opposite that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried (33 CFR §83.12(b)).
What if you cannot tell what tack the other vessel is on?
A vessel with the wind on the port side who sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that vessel has the wind on her port or starboard side shall keep out of the way (33 CFR §83.12(a)(iii)).
Does Rule 12 apply between a sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel?
No. Rule 12 applies when two sailing vessels are approaching one another. A sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel are governed by Rule 18 — or by Rules 9, 10, or 13 where those override it.
Authoritative source#
- 33 CFR §83.12 — this section with its neighbours. 33 CFR Part 83 is public domain; checked 2026-05-16.
- COLREGs Rule 12 is published by the IMO and is authoritative internationally.
Practise this rule against the real exam.
Real exam questions. No signup, no card.
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