Rule 14 — Head-on Situation

33 CFR §83.01

§ 83.01 § 83.01 Application (Rule 1). (a) These Rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law. (b)(i) These Rules constitute special rules made by an appropriate authority within the meaning of Rule 1(b) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, including annexes currently in force for the United States (“International Regulations”). (ii) All vessels complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations are considered to be in compliance with these Rules. (c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Secretary …

33 CFR §83.03

§ 83.03 § 83.03 General definitions (Rule 3). For the purpose of these Rules and Subchapter E, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The wordincludes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (b) The termmeans any vessel propelled by machinery. (c) The termmeans any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. (d) The termmeans any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. (e) The wordincludes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the wat…

33 CFR §83.04

§ 83.04 § 83.04 Application (Rule 4). Rules 4 through 10 (§§ 83.04 through 83.10) apply in any condition of visibility.

33 CFR §83.11

§ 83.11 § 83.11 Application (Rule 11). Rules 11 through 18 (§§ 83.11 through 83.18) apply to vessels in sight of one another.

33 CFR §83.14

§ 83.14 § 83.14 Head-on situation (Rule 14). (a) Unless otherwise agreed, 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. (b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel. (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. (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule, a power-driven vessel operating on the Great Lake…

33 CFR §83.15

§ 83.15 § 83.15 Crossing situation (Rule 15). (a) When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule, on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.