Responsibilities Between Vessels

Rule text#

Except where Rules 9, 10, and 13 (§§ 83.09, 83.10, and 83.13) otherwise require:

(a)A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command;

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii)A vessel engaged in fishing;

(iv)A sailing vessel.

(b)A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command;

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver; and

(iii)A vessel engaged in fishing.

(c)A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command; and

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

(d)[Reserved]

(e)A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19); and (f)(i) a WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation; and

(ii)a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19) as a power-driven vessel. [USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 68621, Nov. 18, 2014]

(a)A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command;

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii)A vessel engaged in fishing;

(iv)A sailing vessel.

(b)A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command;

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver; and

(iii)A vessel engaged in fishing.

(c)A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

(i)A vessel not under command; and

(ii)A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

(d)[Reserved]

(e)A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19); and (f)(i) a WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation; and

(ii)a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19) as a power-driven vessel. [USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 68621, Nov. 18, 2014]

Why it shows up on the exam#

Memorise the order: 'New Reels Catch Fish So Powerfully'. Rule 18 is the most-asked rule in the entire module.

Authoritative source#

Source links checked against the current public rule corpus on 2026-05-16.

• 33 CFR §83.18 — the section this text comes from, with its neighbours.
• International COLREGs Rule 18 verbatim text is published by the IMO and is authoritative for international waters.

Practice this rule#

One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.