Page 137 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

Power-driven vessel
A power-driven vessel is required to keep out of the way of all other
types of vessel mentioned in Rule 18(a), except where Rules 9, 10
and 13 otherwise require, and must avoid impeding the safe passage
of a vessel which is constrained by her draught and exhibiting the
signals prescribed in Rule 28. These requirements apply when she is
underway; a power-driven vessel lying stopped but 'under command'
must comply with Rule 18.

Power versus sail
Although a power-driven vessel is required to keep out of the way of
a sailing vessel when there is risk of collision small yachts sailing for
pleasure and making frequent alterations of course should keep well
clear of large power-driven vessels so that it will not be necessary for
the latter to take avoiding action. If a power-driven vessel does not
take early action to keep out of the way it should usually be possible
for a yacht to avoid collision by her manceuvre alone in accordance
with Rule 17(a)(ii).
When the sidelight of a sailing vessel is sighted at night it may be
useful to take the true direction of the wind into account so as to
determine the approximate aspect of the vessel and to find out how
she is sailing. Most sailing vessels can sail up to about 4 points (45")
of the wind. Some examples are given in the diagrams.
Responsibilities of a sailing vessel

A sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the vessels mentioned
in Rule 18(b) and of a power-driven vessel which she is overtaking.
A sailing vessel must also avoid impeding the safe passage of a
vessel restricted to a narrow channel, following a traffic lane or
constrained by her draught, in accordance with Rules 9(b), lO(j) and
18(d) respectively (see page 64).
Vessels engaged in jshing

A vessel engaged in fishing must, so far as possible, keep out of the
way of a vessel not under command and a vessel restricted in her
ability to manceuvre. She is also required to avoid impeding the safe
passage of a vessel constrained by her draught. However, some ves-
sels engaged in fishing may be unable to manceuvre as required by
the Rules so that they are, in effect, 'not under co~and'.

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