What maneuver should be made when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision?

The Collision Regulations stipulate that in all pleasure craft and vessels, someone must maintain a proper lookout, at all times, for other vessels or pleasure crafts in order to reduce the chance of a collision between two or more pleasure crafts. At all times the pleasure craft’s operator must have a clear view of the waterways that he/she is navigating on. It is up to the operator of a pleasure craft to know and apply the International Regulations for preventing collisions at sea, and the Canadian modifications upon the high seas, and in all waterways connected therein, which are navigable by vessels. 

Collision regulations

Following a collision between two boats, make certain everyone is accounted for and check for injuries. Ensure that passengers and crew members are wearing a PFD. The Small Vessel Regulations require that certain vessels carry an emergency kit. Keep the proper equipment and supplies onboard to stop hull leaks and make minor on-water repairs.

If you are involved in an accident:

• You are required to stop and give assistance to other persons involved. You must give aid to the extent you can do so without endangering yourself or your passengers.
• You are also required to give your name and address and the number of your vessel, in writing, to the owner of any property damaged in the accident.

Overtaking another vessel

A vessel overtaking an other vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. 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.

Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision must be important (noticable) enough to be easily seen by another vessel observing by sight or radar; a succession of small changes of course and/or speed, should be avoided.

Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be to result in passing at a safe distance. This action will be taken in such a manner to be effective and safe, until the time that the other vessel is finally past and clear.

If necessary, a vessel shall reduce her speed to avoid collision with an other vessel.

Power-driven vessels crossing

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if such are the circumstances, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

The operator of a powerboat should maintain his course when being approached on his port side by another powerboat.

Meeting Situation

In a meeting situation neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. It is generally accepted that you should alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port.

What should is a give-way vessel do?

Every give-way vessel should keep out of the way of a stand-on vessel, so far as is possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

What should a stand-on vessel do?

The Stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed. The give-away vessel, may however take action to avoid collision if it is clear that the vessel which should be keeping out of the way is not taking appropriate action.

A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command;
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
• a fishing boat hauling its nets;
• a sailboat.

A sailboat underway shall keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command;
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
• a fishing boat hauling its nets

A fishing boat when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

• a vessel not under command;
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Meeting situations sound signals (short blasts)

One short blast - I intend to alter my course to starboard.

Two short blasts - I intend to alter my course to port.

Three short blasts - I am operating astern propulsion (backing up).

Five or more short and rapid blasts - Danger or doubt signal (I don’t understand your intent).

• One prolonged blast from the horn of a vessel serves as a warning to other ships that an unseen vessel is in the water. Any vessels within earshot of the prolonged horn blast should reply with a prolonged blast of their own.

Risk of Collision, states that every vessel shall use all available means to determine if risk of collision exists; if there is any doubt, assume that it does exist. Risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing from your vessel to an approaching vessel does not change. Constant bearing decreasing range (CBDR) is the term we use to describe this situation. Collision risk may sometimes exist even when appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a vessel towing or when approaching a vessel at very close ranges

Back to the safe boating course review

Rule 11
Application

Rules in this section apply to vessels in sight of one another.

1. 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:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. 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 the port or on the starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.

2. For the purpose 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.

1. 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.

2. A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° 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.

3. 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.

4. Any subsequent alteration of the 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

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

1. 1. Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed.

   2. 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.

2. 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.

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

4. This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:

1. A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

1. a vessel not under command;

2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;

3. a vessel engaged in fishing;

4. a sailing vessel.

2. A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

1. a vessel not under command;

2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;

3. a vessel engaged in fishing.

3. A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

1. a vessel not under command;

2. a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

1. Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.

2. A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.

5. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this part.