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Inland · Rule 2

Responsibility

Last verified: 2026-05-16

TL;DR

The 'general prudential rule.' Nothing in the rules excuses a vessel, owner, or master from the consequences of neglect, and any rule may be departed from if necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Why it shows up on the exam

This is the rule that justifies departing from any other rule when collision is imminent.

Authoritative source

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

International parallel

COLREGs Rule 2Responsibility

More from Part A — General

Related drills

Drill Inland Rule 2

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Inland Rule 2: Responsibility — USCG Captain's Exam Prep · CaptainsGround