COLREGs · Rule 14 · 33 CFR §83.14
Head-on Situation
When two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter course to starboard so that they pass on the port side of each other.
What does Rule 14 actually say?#
Source
Practice this rule#
One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.
Under both the International and Inland Rules, by day a head-on situation is recognized by ______.
How does Inland Rule 14 differ from COLREGs?#
Inland Rule 14 carries a paragraph (d) with no COLREGs counterpart: a power-driven vessel operating on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary and proceeding downbound with a following current has the right of way over an upbound vessel, proposes the manner of passage, and initiates the Rule 34(a)(i) maneuvering signals. Under COLREGs, a head-on meeting is symmetrical — both vessels turn to starboard, with no downbound priority.
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#
Two short blasts (Inland) or two long-short signals are wrong here — the rule is one short blast 'I am altering my course to starboard.'
What does the exam actually test here?#
The action
Both alter to starboard
When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each alters course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other. Neither vessel is stand-on.
Recognising it at night
Masthead lights in line, or both sidelights
The situation is deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and, by night, could see the other's masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights — by day, the corresponding aspect.
Doubt
Assume it exists
A vessel in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists shall assume that it does and act accordingly. Rule 14 covers power-driven vessels only.
Rule 14 — common exam questions#
What action does Rule 14 require in a head-on situation?
Unless otherwise agreed, each vessel alters her course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other (33 CFR §83.14(a)). Both vessels act — there is no stand-on vessel in a head-on meeting.
How do you recognise a head-on situation at night?
You see the other vessel ahead or nearly ahead and could see her masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line and/or both of her sidelights (33 CFR §83.14(b)).
What is the Western Rivers exception to Rule 14?
Inland Rule 14(d) gives a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary the right of way over an upbound vessel. She proposes the manner of passage and initiates the Rule 34(a)(i) signals. COLREGs has no such provision.
Does Rule 14 apply to sailing vessels?
No. Rule 14 applies when two power-driven vessels are meeting. A sailing vessel meeting a power-driven vessel is governed by Rule 18, and two sailing vessels by Rule 12.
Authoritative source#
- 33 CFR §83.14 — this section with its neighbours. 33 CFR Part 83 is public domain; checked 2026-05-16.
- COLREGs Rule 14 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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