1. Stand-on and give-way vessels
Avoiding collision
Stand-on and give-way vessels

2. The give-way vessel stays out of the way of the stand-on vessel
The give-way vessel stays out of the way of the stand-on vessel. This does not relieve the stand-on vessel of responsibilities.

3. She is called the stand-on vessel because she must stand-on her course and speed. By doing so, she gives the give-way vessel a way to assess the situation as it develops.

4. What if the give-way vessel does not get out of the way
What if the give-way vessel does not get out of the way? In that situation the stand-on vessel will have to alter her course and/or speed to avoid danger.

5. The more maneuverable a vessel is the more likely she is to be the give-way vessel in a close quarters situation.

6. This is why the powerboat is give-way to a sailboat; why a boat that is moving is give-way to a vessel stopped; and why they all give way to a large ship in a narrow channel.

7. Vessel sizes. All vessels are covered by the rules
Vessel sizes. All vessels are covered by the rules. The rules are more complicated for larger vessels than smaller ones. Vessels are grouped by their length: Less than 7 meters (23'), 7-12 meters (23'-39'), meters (39'-66'), and meters (66'-164'). A small vessel (or craft) is less than 20 meters (66') in length.

9. One note on powerboats and sailboats
One note on powerboats and sailboats. A sailboat is a boat that is being propelled by sail alone, if her engine is on and engaged she is considered to be a powerboat even with her sails up.

10. Sailboats meeting. Here you will need the ability to determine what tack you are on and what windward and leeward mean. You will recall from Points of Sail that our tack is defined as the opposite side on which the mainsail or boom is carried. Below, the boat on the left is port tack while on the right the boat is starboard tack.

11. The sailboat on starboard tack is stand-on while the boat on port tack is give-way. When boats give-way they should, in general, turn to starboard. It's much easier for a sailboat to turn than to slow down or speed up. Ok, so what happens when two sailboats come together on the same tack?

12. The windward boat keeps out of the way of the leeward boat
The windward boat keeps out of the way of the leeward boat. The windward boat is the one further upwind, closer to where the wind is coming from. The preferred course is for the windward boat to turn and go behind the leeward boat. The leeward boat takes no action other than to maintain her course and speed. Also, she should be watching the windward boat to make sure she alters course. In this particular case the windward boat alters her course to port which is the easiest way to fall behind the leeward boat.

14. In most rights of way situations it is best to make an early and substantial change in course. Here substantial would be 20 degrees or more. This action, on the part of the give-way vessel notifies the stand-on vessel that she can proceed on her way without danger.