IRPCS 11-18 Giving way

Question 1

11. application

Answer 1

rules in this section apply to vessels in sight of one another

Question 2

12. sail meets sail

Answer 2

(a) When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:
(i) when each has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other;

(ii) when both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.
(iii) if a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on her port or starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.
(b) For the purposes of this rule the windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.

Question 3

13. overtaking

Answer 3

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

Question 4

13.b+c when shall a vessel be deemed to be overtaking

Answer 4

A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.
(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.

Question 5

13.d overtaking vessel or crossing vessel

Answer 5

(d) Any subsequent alteration of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

Question 6

14.b+c when shall a head-on situation be deemed to exist

Answer 6

(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 line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.
(c) Then a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

Question 7

14.a what do two PDV do when meeting on a reciprocal course

Answer 7

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 as to each shall pass on the port side of the other.

Question 8

15. which PDV gives way in a crossing situation

Answer 8

When two power-driven vessel 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.

Question 9

16. what action should the give way vessel take

Answer 9

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, as far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

Question 10

17.a+d what is the action of the stand-on vessel

Answer 10

(a)

(i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.
(d) This rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

Question 11

17.b what is the action of the stand-on vessel when it finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone

Answer 11

(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

Question 12

17.c what action should a PDV avoid in a crossing situation

Answer 12

(c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) (ii) of this rule to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances at the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.

Question 13

18. which vessel gives way to which

Answer 13

Except where rules 9 (narrow channels), 10 (traffic separation schemes) and 13 (overtaking) otherwise require, the order is as follows:
NUC
RAM
CBD
a vessel engaged in fishing
Sailing vessel
PDV
Seaplane
WIG craft