COLREGs Rule 14: Head-on situation

Rule 14 says when two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with risk of collision, each alters course to starboard so they pass port to port.

What Rule 14 says

1. Applies to two power-driven vessels meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision. Each alters course to starboard.
2. It is head-on when you see the other vessel ahead or nearly ahead: at night, its masthead lights in line or nearly in line and/or both sidelights; by day, the matching aspect.
3. If in doubt whether it is head-on, assume it is and act.

This is a plain-English summary, not the official wording. For the exact text, see the IMO convention. In UK waters the rules are given legal force by the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations.

What it means on a yacht

Motoring down a channel towards another motor boat, turn clearly to starboard. Two sailing vessels meeting head-on use Rule 12 instead, and a sailing vessel meeting a motor boat uses Rule 18.

Practise it

Test yourself on who gives way in the free COLREGs trainer, or print the rules of the road cheat sheets for the chart table.

Other rules in Part B

• Rule 4: Application of Section I
• Rule 5: Look-out
• Rule 6: Safe speed
• Rule 7: Risk of collision
• Rule 8: Action to avoid collision
• Rule 9: Narrow channels
• Rule 10: Traffic separation schemes
• Rule 11: Application of Section II
• Rule 12: Sailing vessels
• Rule 13: Overtaking
• Rule 15: Crossing situation
• Rule 16: Action by give-way vessel
• Rule 17: Action by stand-on vessel
• Rule 18: Responsibilities between vessels
• Rule 19: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Frequently asked questions