Conduct and the steering-and-sailing rules
The conduct rules apply in any visibility: a proper lookout (Rule 5), a safe speed (Rule 6), a full appraisal of risk by all means including radar (Rule 7, with its warning against assumptions on scanty information), and action that is positive, early, obvious and checked (Rule 8). In sight of one another, the head-on, crossing and overtaking rules (13-15) govern, with the give-way and stand-on duties of Rules 16 and 17, and the pecking order of Rule 18 (power gives way to sailing, fishing, restricted-in-ability-to-manoeuvre and not-under-command vessels).
| Situation | Give-way | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Head-on (power) | Both | Alter to starboard, pass port to port |
| Crossing (power) | Vessel with the other to starboard | Alter to starboard; do not cross ahead |
| Overtaking | Overtaking vessel | Keep clear until finally past and clear |
| The power-driven encounters (Rules 13-15). |
Restricted visibility and lights
In or near restricted visibility, Rule 19 applies: there is no stand-on vessel, both proceed at a safe speed, and a vessel avoids where possible altering to port for a vessel forward of the beam. The candidate must also recognise vessels by their lights and shapes and sound signals — the vertical light patterns for not-under-command (two reds), restricted-in-ability-to-manoeuvre (red-white-red), at anchor, and so on — and know the manoeuvring and fog signals of Rule 34 and 35.
WARNING — Early, large, obvious — and check it works At management level the examiner expects not just the rule but the seamanship: an alteration to starboard that is early and unmistakable, followed by a check that the other vessel is drawing clear. Rule 8 requires the action to be confirmed effective.
NOTE — Rule 19 removes the stand-on vessel In restricted visibility neither vessel stands on; both navigate with caution by radar, reduce to a safe speed, and avoid a close-quarters situation. Do not apply the in-sight give-way/stand-on logic in the fog.