What action must a give-way vessel take when necessary under COLREGs?

Give-way action: the clear path to safety on the water

Let me ask you a quick mental test: when two boats converge, whose job is it to move first? In the world of COLREGs, there’s a simple, rock-solid rule: the give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to keep clear of the stand-on vessel. It sounds straightforward, but in the moment, it’s the difference between a smooth pass and a close call.

Here’s the thing: the rules aren’t about who looks bigger or who has the right of way at sight. They’re about predictability and preventing collisions. The give-way vessel carries the responsibility to act decisively when there’s any risk of crossing paths. If the stand-on vessel can maneuver to avoid, great. If not, the give-way vessel must adjust course, speed, or both—early and with enough authority to ensure there’s no doubt about the intention to keep clear.

What “early and substantial action” actually means

Think of two boats headed for the same lane of traffic on a busy river. If you’re the give-way vessel, you don’t wait until you’re almost on top of the other boat to decide what to do. You assess, you decide, you execute. The action must be “early” (taken well before there’s a risk of collision) and “substantial” (clear, noticeable, and enough to avoid contact). Here are practical forms that kind of action can take:

• Altering course: A steady, deliberate change to pass to one side of the other vessel, giving them a clear path and reducing the chance of proximity that could cause an unsafe maneuver.

• Adjusting speed: Slowing down or speeding up to avoid converging paths, often in combination with a course change.

• Coordinating with the other vessel: If there’s any confusion about what the other boat might do, a visible maneuver combined with a quick VHF call or a signal can help confirm alignment and timing.

Causes for the rule to kick in aren’t exotic. It’s about visibility and predictability. If you’re the give-way vessel and you see a risk of collision, you’re expected to act promptly—don’t stall and don’t hope the other boat will swing into the right lane on your behalf. The goal is to create a safe margin, not to test someone’s reflexes at close quarters.

Why not the other options?

Let’s break down the multiple-choice idea you’ll see in training materials, so you can spot the right choice in real life.

• A. Wait for the stand-on vessel to maneuver

This sounds fair in theory: “Let the other guy go first.” But in practice, it’s a risky gamble. If the stand-on vessel can’t or won’t maneuver, waiting can leave you with nowhere to go. The COLREGs place the burden on the give-way vessel to act early, not to wait and see. If you’ll be the one required to move, better to move decisively than to delay and risk a collision.

• C. Signal the other vessel to slow down

Signals are helpful, but they’re not a substitute for actual maneuvering. A signal helps clear up intent, but it doesn’t guarantee safety. Some vessels may not understand your signals in time or may be unable to react quickly enough. Rely on clear, physical action first; use signals to supplement, not replace, decisive movement.

• D. Adjust speed without changing course

Reducing speed alone can sometimes be enough, but not always. In some situations, adjusting speed without changing course may still leave you on a collision course, especially if the other vessel isn’t able to maneuver. The rule emphasizes “early and substantial action,” which often means a combination of course and speed changes—sometimes including a course alteration as the main move.

The practical takeaways for real life on the water

Now, let’s translate this into everyday boating wisdom. You don’t have to be a navigation professor to apply the concept. Here are several concrete steps that fit the spirit of “early and substantial action”:

• Scan and anticipate: Constant vigilance is your ally. Keep a lookout for traffic changes, especially in busy harbors, near bridges, or where wind shifts can push boats into new paths.

• Predict the other boat’s likely moves: If you see a vessel on a converging course, assume they’ll continue on that track unless they indicate otherwise. This helps you avoid last-minute, panicked moves.

• Decide early, then execute decisively: Once you identify a risk, choose a course of action and commit to it. A smooth, clean turn or a deliberate speed adjustment will beat a last-second, abrupt maneuver.

• Use each tool at your disposal: AIS, radar, and good VHF communication can help you assess risk and coordinate with other mariners. Don’t rely on one tool alone—combine them for a safer result.

• Keep your actions clear and predictable: Sudden, erratic movements are confusing. A steady, well-telegraphed maneuver communicates your intention to others and reduces the chance of a misread.

A few quick scenarios to anchor the idea

Crossing paths at a busy channel? The give-way vessel should alter course early to keep clear, ideally passing to a side that creates the most stable separation. If you’re the stand-on vessel and you see a risk forming, you should maintain course and speed but be ready to respond if your partner’s maneuver doesn’t come through.

Head-on approaches add another layer: visibility is limited, speeds may be higher, and timing matters more than ever. The give-way vessel should take early action to avoid a collision, commonly by steering to pass on the actual starboard side of the other vessel and reducing speed as needed. The stand-on vessel, in turn, should maintain course and speed unless it becomes evident that it cannot avoid a collision.

Overtaking is a different flavor of the same principle. When a vessel is overtaking another, the overtaking vessel is typically the give-way vessel and must keep clear. That’s the basic idea: don’t try to squeeze in between a boat that’s already established a lane; give everyone room to maneuver safely.

A mental model you can carry on deck

Here’s a simple way to think about it: if you can see a potential collision, you should be prepared to move, and move early. It’s not about bravado or who has legal “rights.” It’s about safety, predictability, and leaving space for everyone to navigate their own way. If you’re unsure about what to do, imagine you’re driving in heavy traffic with limited visibility. You’d slow down, change lanes respectfully, and give others the space to adjust—same principle, just with boats.

Common situations where this rule shines

• In a crowded harbor approach, two powerboats converge at a shallow bend. The give-way boat should take a clear, early maneuver to pass safely, even if it means briefly stepping into a wider channel.

• A sailboat and a powerboat collide course. The give-way boat may need to alter course more than once if wind shifts complicate the path.

• Two vessels in a crossing at speed near a bridge approach. Early action by the give-way vessel helps everyone slow down in time to pass safely under or beside the other craft.

A note on training, habit, and muscle memory

You don’t want your first decisive move to be your last resort. The best mariners build a habit of looking for risks well before they become urgent. Practice isn’t about memorizing a single rule; it’s about developing an instinct for when to act and how to act without hesitation. In practice, that means keeping a constant sense of the traffic around you, rehearsing your response to common situations in calm waters, and then applying that calm judgment on busy days.

If you want to talk about real-world gear that helps, think of a good radar display, a clear AIS readout, and reliable VHF communication. These tools don’t replace your judgment; they augment it. When used together, they help you identify potential conflicts sooner and plan a safe, confident maneuver.

The bottom line

When the ocean sends two boats toward the same spot, the give-way vessel has one job: take early and substantial action to keep clear. It’s not about who’s right or who’s loudest. It’s about moving decisively in a way that reduces risk and keeps everyone on safe course. If you can carry that mindset with you, you’ll handle most near-misses with grace and confidence, and you’ll be better prepared for the moment when a quick, clear turn is exactly what the water needs.

So next time you’re at sea or on a crowded river, remember the rule with a simple punchline: act early, act decisively, and give others the space to keep moving. It’s how good seamanship shows up—in practice, in life, and on every voyage.