Who Gives Way #044
Who gives way?
Five short top-down encounters. Name the situation, then choose the safest appropriate action — not only who has right of way.
Scene 1 of 5
Rule 14
Head-on power-driven vessels
What is the safest appropriate action now? Clear visibility · reciprocal courses.
Direct answer
Ask what the safest appropriate action is now. Crossing, head-on, overtaking and restricted-visibility scenes each have one authored action. Right of way is not a licence to hold on into a collision.
- Best for
- Day Skipper COLREGs revision
- Includes
- Rules 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19
- Format
- Free daily five-scene challenge
How to read a scene
- 1. You head up the page. The other vessel's bearing is from your heading.
- 2. Name the situation. Crossing, head-on, overtaking, or a vessel that cannot give way.
- 3. Choose the action. Early and obvious is safer than a late stand-on.
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 13 August 2026. Scenes follow COLREGs Rules 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 as taught in RYA Day Skipper theory. They are authored teaching cases, not a substitute for the Convention or a lookout.