Which vessel is considered the give-way vessel in a crossing situation?

In a crossing situation, the give-way vessel is determined by the navigation rules set forth in the COLREGs. The vessel that sees a red light is on the port side of another vessel that is approaching from the starboard side, which indicates that it must give way. According to Rule 18(b), when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel that sees the other on its starboard side is required to keep its course and speed, while the vessel to its port (the one seeing a red light) must take action to avoid a collision by giving way.

This understanding aligns with maritime navigation practices, where the color of the navigation lights plays a crucial role in determining which vessel has the right of way. In this case, seeing a red light signals that the other vessel is to the vessel's left, establishing it as the give-way vessel. Therefore, in a crossing situation, recognizing that seeing a red light signifies the need to yield is key to ensuring safety at sea.