Module 5 - COLREGs
Rules 12–18 — Who Gives Way?
What you will learn
Classify an in-sight encounter in the correct order and state initial duties without collapsing overtaking, sailing, head-on, crossing and vessel-status rules into one hierarchy.
The reliable shortcut is not 'power gives way to sail'. Prove visual sight and collision risk, then check overtaking and waterway constraints before the ordinary encounter.
Rules 11–18 apply when vessels are in sight of one another. Rule 12 covers two sailing vessels: port tack keeps out of the way of starboard tack; on the same tack the windward vessel keeps out of the way; and a port-tack vessel unable to determine the other's tack keeps out of the way.
Rule 13 makes any overtaking vessel keep out of the way until finally past and clear. Overtaking begins when approaching from more than 22.5° abaft the other vessel's beam, and later bearing change does not convert the same encounter into crossing. Check this before ordinary sailing-versus-power or Rule 18 relationships.
Rule 14 applies when two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with collision risk: each alters to starboard for a port-to-port pass. Rule 15 applies to a crossing between power-driven vessels: the vessel with the other on her starboard side keeps out of the way and, if circumstances admit, avoids crossing ahead. Rules 16 and 17 create predictable initial roles while preserving both vessels' collision-avoidance duties.
| Question | Rule | Initial duty |
|---|---|---|
| Are the vessels visually in sight? | Rules 11–18 | If not in restricted visibility, use Rule 19 |
| Is one overtaking? | Rule 13 | Overtaking vessel keeps clear until finally past and clear |
| Are both sailing? | Rule 12 | Apply tack and windward/leeward duties |
| Are both power-driven and head-on? | Rule 14 | Both alter to starboard |
| Are both power-driven and crossing? | Rule 15 | Vessel with the other to starboard keeps clear |
Stop a false crossing classification
A sailing yacht is passing a slower power-driven vessel. As it draws abeam, the bearing resembles a crossing situation.
1. Reconstruct the approach
Establish whether the yacht approached from more than 22.5° abaft the beam.
2. Keep the original duty
If overtaking, the sailing yacht remains give-way despite its sails and the later bearing.
3. Finish the pass
Allow for wake and sea room and remain clear until finally past and clear.
Sense check: If responsibility could switch whenever bearing moved, the other vessel could not predict the pass.
Common mistake or limitation
- Rule 13 is missed when learners jump directly to the power-versus-sail relationship.
- A radar contact is not automatically 'in sight'; Rules 12–18 use visual sight.
Recap
- Rules 12–18 require vessels to be visually in sight.
- Overtaking is checked before ordinary sailing, crossing or vessel-status relationships.
- Head-on requires both power-driven vessels to alter to starboard; crossing assigns one initial give-way vessel.
Optional quick check
Section 6 of 12
A sailing yacht overtakes a power-driven vessel and later appears on its beam. Which duty continues?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 2 September 2026 - Coastal Skipper Revision.
Practice COLREGs scenarios
The full COLREGs module turns the rules into lights, shapes, give-way, and restricted-visibility practice.