Port gives way to starboard. Same tack: windward keeps clear of leeward. Your tack is the side the wind comes over, opposite the boom. Not sure of her tack? Assume she is on starboard and keep clear.
Overtaking (coming up from more than 22.5° abaft her beam, where you would see only her sternlight): the overtaker keeps clear, whatever she is. Head-on: both alter to starboard, pass red to red. Crossing: if she is on your starboard side, you give way, and do not cross ahead of her.
Give-way: early, substantial, obvious. Stand-on: hold course and speed, watch her bearing, and if she does nothing, act, but never alter to port for a vessel on your port side.
New Reels Catch Fish So Purchase Some. Not under command, Restricted in ability to manoeuvre, Constrained by draught, Fishing, Sailing, Power, Seaplane. Lower on the list gives way. Overtaking and narrow-channel rules still override it. A pilot vessel is just a power-driven vessel for priority.
| Lights (all-round unless said) | Vessel |
|---|---|
| Masthead white + sidelights + sternlight | Power-driven under 50 m. Second masthead, aft and higher: 50 m or more |
| Sidelights + sternlight only | Sailing (or being towed) |
| Green over white | Trawling |
| Red over white | Fishing other than trawling |
| Red over red | Not under command |
| Red, white, red | Restricted in ability to manoeuvre |
| Three reds | Constrained by her draught |
| White over red | Pilot on duty |
| One white (two if 50 m+) | At anchor |
| Anchor light + two reds | Aground |
| Two mastheads in a vertical line + yellow over stern | Towing, tow under 200 m (three mastheads if longer) |
Red to red is a head-on. Green alone: she crosses left to right. Red alone: right to left. White alone, low: her stern.
Ball: anchor. Cone point down: motor-sailing. Cylinder: constrained by draught. Ball–diamond–ball: restricted. Two balls: not under command. Three balls: aground. Two cones point to point: fishing. Diamond: tow over 200 m.
| Signal | In sight |
|---|---|
| ● | Turning to starboard |
| ● ● | Turning to port |
| ● ● ● | Engines astern |
| ● ● ● ● ● | What are you doing? (doubt) |
| ▬ ▬ ● / ▬ ▬ ● ● | I will overtake on your starboard / port side |
| ▬ ● ▬ ● | Agreed, come past |
| ▬ | Coming round a blind bend |
| Signal | In fog (every 2 min, bells every 1 min) |
|---|---|
| ▬ | Power, making way |
| ▬ ▬ | Power, underway but stopped |
| ▬ ● ● | Sailing, fishing, NUC, RAM, CBD, towing. "Everyone with a handicap" |
| ▬ ● ● ● | Last vessel of a tow |
| Bell, 5 s | At anchor (gong aft too if 100 m+) |
| 3 strokes, bell, 3 strokes | Aground |
| ● ● ● ● | Pilot vessel |
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