Rule 14 explained: how two power-driven vessels approach each other and stay clear.

Rule 14: When two power-driven vessels cross paths

Let’s picture a busy stretch of water where ships, boats, and ferries mingle like cars on a city street. In that kind of scene, Rule 14 of the COLREGs kicks in. It covers a specific maneuver: two power-driven vessels approaching each other on crossing courses and at risk of collision. The idea is simple in principle, but it keeps the traffic moving safely when visibility is limited and decisions have to be quick.

Here’s the thing in plain language: when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way. If you’re the one who sees the other vessel on your starboard (your right-hand side), you’re the one who should take action to avoid a collision. The other vessel—the one that doesn’t have you on its starboard— is the stand-on vessel and generally should maintain course and speed unless it becomes clear a collision is unavoidable.

Two ships, two choices, one outcome: safety

Rule 14 isn’t about who “wins” the right of way. It’s about who acts first to prevent harm. Think of it like two drivers approaching a city intersection from different streets. If you see the other car coming on your right, you’re responsible for slowing down or turning to clear the intersection. On the water, the same logic applies, but the vessels use speed, course, and visibility to figure it out.

To make this tangible, consider a couple of common crossing scenarios:

• Scenario A: You’re piloting Vessel A and you notice Vessel B on your starboard side. Under Rule 14, you should take early, substantial action to keep well clear. That could mean slightly altering your course to pass behind B or reducing speed so the two vessels don’t come into a dangerous proximity.

• Scenario B: The roles are reversed. Vessel B has Vessel A on its starboard side. Now B is the give-way vessel and should adjust course or speed to avoid a collision, while Vessel A remains the stand-on vessel—unless it becomes evident that the risk of collision isn’t going away.

It’s worth underscoring a subtle but important point: the stand-on vessel must still keep a lookout and, if necessary, take action to avoid danger. Rule 14 isn’t a license to ignore risk; it’s a framework for coordinated, predictable maneuvering.

How this rule plays out in the real world

In busy waterways, you’re not just dealing with one other vessel. There are buoys, currents, wind shifts, and sometimes limited visibility that makes the decision-making clock tick a little louder. Here are practical ways mariners use Rule 14 to stay safe:

• Early situational awareness: From the moment you spot another vessel, start assessing relative bearings, distance, speed, and trajectory. Even a rough mental map helps you decide who should act.

• Clear communication: When the risk of collision exists, it’s wise to make your intentions known. That might mean adjusting your own course modestly and signaling with light, horn, or radio if needed. The goal isn’t drama; it’s clarity.

• Decisive action: The give-way vessel should act promptly. A small course change or a gentle reduction in speed is often enough to separate the paths. You don’t need a grand maneuver to be effective—just enough to remove the risk.

• Predictive planning: If you’re the stand-on vessel, don’t assume the other guy will always move. Keep monitoring, be ready to adjust, and consider what you’d do if their action doesn’t align with your expectations.

Simple rules, big impact

Two words help most mariners remember Rule 14: starboard and give way. A quick mental check:

• If you have the other vessel on your starboard side, you are the give-way vessel. Take action to keep clear.

• If the other vessel has you on its starboard side, you are the stand-on vessel. Maintain course and speed unless it becomes clear a collision can’t be avoided.

That mental cue makes a difference in a tense moment when every second counts.

Tools of the trade that help Rule 14 in practice

Modern ships aren’t just big hulls with a crew. They’re moving platforms filled with technology that helps sailors interpret crossing situations more safely. A few trusted tools you’ll hear about:

• AIS (Automatic Identification System): It broadcasts vessel identities, courses, and speeds. It’s like a seventh sense for collision avoidance, helping you judge who’s coming from where.

• Radar: In low visibility or at night, radar helps you see targets that aren’t immediately visible to the eye. It’s not perfect, but it’s a vital aid to rule-based decisions.

• Optical lookout and binoculars: Technology helps, but a vigilant human eye remains essential. Weather, glare, and water spray can blur instruments, so eye-to-object is still critical.

• VHF radio: If there’s a need to coordinate, a quick radio exchange can prevent misinterpretations. Clear, concise communication reduces risk.

• Chart plots and electronic navigation systems: They keep you oriented in complex channels, near bends, or through busy harbors where crossing situations pop up more often than you expect.

Common misreadings to avoid

Rule 14 is straightforward in its core, but it’s easy to get tangled in a moment of stress. A few frequent mistakes to watch for:

• Waiting for the other vessel to move: The stand-on vessel isn’t a passive observer. If the other vessel’s movement would still put you at risk, the stand-on vessel must be prepared to adjust.

• Overreacting: Not every crossing requires a dramatic turn. A well-timed, modest course adjustment or slight speed change is often all that’s needed.

• Misjudging starboard: It’s common to misinterpret the relative position of the other vessel. If you’re unsure whether the other vessel is on your starboard or port, slow down and reassess—or communicate to confirm.

• Assuming the other vessel will use sound signals or radio to coordinate: Do not rely on a single cue. A self-assured, early action based on your own assessment is the safest approach.

Memory aids that help, not confuse

If you’re studying COLREGs, a simple phrase can help you recall Rule 14 in a pinch: “If the other is on your starboard, give way.” It’s a compact reminder of who should act and when. And a quick mental picture—two boats’ tracks converging, one path bending away from the starboard side—often makes the rule feel less abstract and more like a reflex you can rely on.

A quick note about speed and channel discipline

Crossing situations frequently arise in narrow channels, harbors, and river mouths where traffic is dense and currents are tricky. In these places, Rule 14 has even more bite. The combination of restricted maneuvering space and limited visibility magnifies the importance of early, decisive, and clear actions. Practically, that means pay extra attention in channels, reduce unnecessary speed, and avoid tailgating the vessel ahead. In a pinch, slowing down gives everyone a longer reaction window.

Why Rule 14 matters beyond the test

You might be wondering why this rule matters so much in everyday crossings. The truth is simple: safe movement in busy waters protects lives, cargo, and the environment. When two power-driven vessels cross paths and both parties know who should act, there’s less chance of abrupt maneuvers that could cause harm. It’s a social contract on the water, a shared understanding that good seamanship isn’t about “winning” a right of way but about staying alive and keeping others safe.

A few reflections you can carry forward

• Stay curious, stay cautious. A crossing isn’t a moment to prove you’re in the right; it’s a moment to stay risk-free.

• Let technology be a helper, not a replacement for vigilance. AIS and radar are excellent, but your eyes and judgment still matter most.

• Practice the habit of "early action." If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and adjust sooner rather than later.

In the end, Rule 14 is a simple rule with big consequences. It’s about the quiet competence that mariners cultivate: reading distance, predicting the other vessel’s behavior, and choosing a safe course with confidence. The water is a shared space, and good rules are how we keep it safe for everyone who rides its waves.

If you’re ever in doubt about a crossing, pause, survey the relative bearings, and ask yourself who has the other on their starboard. If the answer points to you, act decisively. If you’re not sure, slow down and reassess. The goal is straightforward: clear paths, steady hands, and responsible decisions that keep the fleet moving smoothly.

A few practical takeaways to remember next time you’re on watch

• Identify crossing scenarios early and decide who should act.

• Keep a visual on the other vessel’s starboard side to determine who gives way.

• Communicate your intentions when needed, and use available tools to verify positions and courses.

• Prioritize safety over pride; a modest adjustment beats a dangerous confrontation.

Rule 14 isn’t about clever maneuvers or clever terminology. It’s about applying a simple, universal principle—see the other vessel on your starboard, act to keep out of the way—and doing so with clarity, calm, and care. That’s the essence of good seamanship, and it serves as a reliable compass in even the busiest of waters.