In a crossing situation, which vessel is the give-way vessel?

In a crossing situation, which vessel is the give-way vessel?

• A. The vessel on the port side of the other.
• B. The vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side.
• C. The faster vessel.
• D. The vessel that is closer to the other.

Answer: (B)

In a crossing, the vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side must give way. Being on the starboard side means the other vessel is on your right, so you must take action to avoid it and let it pass. The stand-on vessel is the one that does not have the other on its starboard side (typically the one the other vessel is to the right of). Speed or distance doesn’t determine which vessel yields—the relative position to the other vessel does. So the vessel with the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel.

In a crossing, the vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side must give way. Being on the starboard side means the other vessel is on your right, so you must take action to avoid it and let it pass. The stand-on vessel is the one that does not have the other on its starboard side (typically the one the other vessel is to the right of). Speed or distance doesn’t determine which vessel yields—the relative position to the other vessel does. So the vessel with the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel.