When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision which vessel shall keep out of the way of the other?

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Collision regulations
Overtaking another vessel
Power-driven vessels crossing
Meeting Situation
What should is a give-way vessel do?
What should a stand-on vessel do?
A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
A sailboat underway shall keep out of the way of:
A fishing boat when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
Meeting situations sound signals (short blasts)
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General notes

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

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You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should: A. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists. B. immediately sound the danger signal and change course. C. take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action and determining that her action is not appropriate.

D. hold course and speed until the point of extremes and then sound the danger signal, taking whichever action will best avoid collision.

Many collisions between vessels result from a lack of understanding of the rules of safe navigation.

The information on this page is based on the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) - COLREGs, and Victorian marine legislation.

When each has the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is leeward.

When a sailing vessel with the wind on its port side sees another sailing vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that sailing vessel has the wind on its port or its starboard, it shall keep out of the way of that other sailing vessel.

Power-driven vessels shall keep out of the way of sailing vessels and rowing boats;

Power-driven vessels meeting head-on or nearly head-on so as to involve risk of collision shall alter course to starboard so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel with the other on its starboard side shall keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. The other vessel must maintain its course and speed until it is apparent that the vessel required to give way is not taking appropriate action.

The master of a vessel under way in a channel or fairway must ensure that the vessel keeps to the right of the centre of the channel or fairway.
The master of a vessel under way in a channel or fairway must ensure that the vessel keeps out of the way of a vessel that can only safely navigate within the channel or fairway.
All vessels in narrow channels shall keep, as far as practicable, to the starboard side of the channel.
A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.
A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within such a channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use a permitted sound signal if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case permit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
A sailing vessel and a vessel under 20 m in length shall not impede the passage of any vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

All vessels, whether sail or power, overtaking another vessel when the boats are in sight of one another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. If a vessel is coming up with another vessel from any direction, which is more than 22.5 degrees (in the shaded arc of the diagram below) abaft her beam, it shall be deemed to be the overtaking vessel until finally past and clear.

General notes

If in doubt, assume that you are the overtaking vessel and keep clear. Alteration of course by either vessel does not relieve the overtaking vessel of the responsibility of keeping clear.
If overtaking or approaching a vessel engaged in water-skiing always keep at least 50m from the skier and vessel combination.

The vessel giving way shall take early and positive avoiding action; make course/speed alterations obvious to the other vessel; avoid crossing ahead of the vessel with right of way; if necessary stop or reverse.
A series of five or more short and rapid blasts on a whistle or horn should be used to indicate that insufficient action is being taken to avoid collision.
The vessel with the right of way shall keep its course and speed. It should take avoiding action only if that taken by the giving-way vessel is insufficient. If necessary it should take whatever action is available to keep clear and avoid a collision.
If a power-driven vessel is taking action to avoid a collision with another power-driven vessel, it shall, if possible, avoid altering course to port.
This action does not relieve the vessel operator of handling obligations.

In restricted visibility, reduce to minimum speed. When hearing the fog signal of another vessel ahead, proceed with caution until danger of collision is over or stop until you have ascertained the danger.

Read about navigation lights.