COLREGS Rule 14 — Head-on Situation

Rule Text

What it means on the water

• →Head-on: two power-driven vessels meeting on reciprocal (or nearly reciprocal) courses.
• →Both vessels alter to STARBOARD — pass port to port.
• →At night: both masthead lights in a line (or nearly) and both sidelights visible = head-on.
• →Any doubt = assume head-on situation exists and act accordingly.
• →Rule 14 applies only to power-driven vessels; sailing vessels are governed by Rule 12.

Common exam mistakes

• ✗Thinking one vessel gives way and one stands on in a head-on — both must alter to starboard.
• ✗Applying Rule 14 to sailing vessels — it applies to power-driven vessels only.
• ✗Forgetting the doubt presumption — if unsure, treat it as head-on.

USCG exam questions — Rule 14

These questions are drawn from the same pool used in real USCG licensing exams. Correct answers and explanations are shown.

1. 1. Two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision. Vessel A has the wind on her port side. Vessel B has the wind on her starboard side. Which vessel is the give-way vessel?

   • A.Vessel A, because she has the wind on the port side✓
   • B.Vessel B, because she has the wind on the starboard side
   • C.The vessel that is more close-hauled
   • D.The vessel to leeward

   Why: Rule 12(a)(i) states that when each sailing vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way. Vessel A has the wind on port; she gives way. The close-hauled state and leeward position are irrelevant to this specific sub-rule.

2. 2. A sailing vessel sees another sailing vessel to windward but cannot determine whether that vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side. Under Rule 12, the vessel to leeward shall:

   • A.Sound five short blasts and maintain course and speed
   • B.Keep out of the way of the vessel to windward✓
   • C.Assume the other vessel is on starboard tack and give way accordingly
   • D.Reduce speed until the windward vessel's tack can be determined

   Why: The keyed answer is correct: under Rule 12(a)(iii), if a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other. This is a safety default for the leeward (port-tack) vessel, requiring her to give way to the windward vessel. (Note: Rule 12(b) is the separate definition of the "windward side" — the side opposite that on which the mainsail is carried — and does not govern this ambiguous-tack situation.)

3. 3. A vessel that is overtaking another begins to draw abeam and eventually moves ahead. At what point does the overtaking obligation end under Rule 13?

   • A.When the overtaking vessel is clearly past and well clear of the overtaken vessel✓
   • B.When the overtaken vessel can see the overtaking vessel's sidelights
   • C.When the overtaking vessel sounds two short blasts to indicate she is clear
   • D.As soon as the overtaking vessel crosses ahead of the overtaken vessel's bow

   Why: Rule 13(d) states that the overtaking vessel shall keep clear until she is finally past and clear. The obligation persists through the entire overtaking maneuver — there is no intermediate point where the give-way duty switches. The 'past and clear' standard is intentionally high to prevent premature assumption that the maneuver is complete.

4. 4. Rule 14(c) states that if a vessel is in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists, she shall:

   • A.Stand on and wait for the other vessel to take action
   • B.Sound the doubt signal of five short blasts
   • C.Assume a head-on situation exists and act accordingly✓
   • D.Contact the other vessel on VHF to clarify the situation

   Why: Rule 14(c) resolves ambiguity with a safety default: assume it is head-on and apply Rule 14 — alter to starboard. This prevents a vessel from standing on a potentially fatal course while waiting for certainty. The doubt signal is a general safety signal but is not the Rule 14(c) directive.

5. 5. Rule 15 adds that, where possible, the give-way vessel in a crossing situation shall avoid:

   • A.Reducing speed, which could confuse the stand-on vessel
   • B.Crossing ahead of the other vessel✓
   • C.Altering course to starboard when the other vessel is on her starboard side
   • D.Sounding any signal that could be misinterpreted

   Why: Rule 15 states that the give-way vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Passing astern is the preferred maneuver; crossing ahead risks collision if the give-way vessel underestimates the closing speed or the stand-on vessel maintains speed.

6. 6. Under Rule 17(a), the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation shall:

   • A.Immediately alter course to port to open the CPA
   • B.Immediately reduce speed to allow the give-way vessel more time
   • C.Maintain her course and speed✓
   • D.Sound five short blasts and then take independent action

   Why: Rule 17(a)(i) obliges the stand-on vessel to maintain course and speed. This predictability is essential — the give-way vessel plans its maneuver based on the stand-on vessel continuing unchanged. Unpredictable early action by the stand-on vessel can negate the give-way vessel's avoidance.

7. 7. Rule 17(c) states that a stand-on vessel taking action in accordance with Rule 17(a)(ii):

   • A.Becomes the give-way vessel for the remainder of the encounter
   • B.Shall not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side✓
   • C.Must first reduce speed before altering course
   • D.Must sound the appropriate maneuvering signal before acting

   Why: Rule 17(c) prohibits the stand-on vessel from altering course to port for a vessel on her own port side when she decides to act under 17(a)(ii). Turning toward a give-way vessel approaching from the port bow would increase closing rate. Turning to starboard (away from the give-way vessel) is the correct action.

8. 8. Under Inland Rule 14, two power-driven vessels meeting head-on must each alter course to starboard. This rule applies:

   • A.Only if the vessels are in a narrow channel
   • B.Only in restricted visibility
   • C.When each vessel is within the visual range of the other and there is risk of collision✓
   • D.When the vessels are more than 1 nautical mile apart

   Why: Inland Rule 14 applies when two power-driven vessels are meeting on nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, when in sight of one another. Each vessel must alter to starboard and exchange passing signals per Rule 34.

Frequently asked questions

What should two power-driven vessels do when meeting head-on?

Both vessels must alter course to starboard so they pass port to port. There is no stand-on and give-way vessel in a head-on situation — both are required to act. If either vessel is in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists, it must treat it as if it does.

How do you identify a head-on situation at night?

At night, a head-on situation is indicated by seeing both masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line, and being able to see both the red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights of the approaching vessel. This means the other vessel is directly or nearly directly ahead on a reciprocal course.

All COLREGS rules