Responsibilities Between Vessels

Establishes the hierarchy of vessels: NUC > RAM > constrained by draft > fishing > sailing > power-driven.

Rule 18 establishes the hierarchy of responsibilities between different types of vessels. In general:

A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: a vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; a vessel engaged in fishing; a sailing vessel.

A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: a vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; a vessel engaged in fishing.

A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of: a vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

A vessel constrained by her draught may display the signals prescribed in Rule 28 and shall be given special consideration.

The hierarchy from most privileged to least: NUC > RAM > Fishing > Sailing > Power-driven. Vessels constrained by draught receive special consideration but are not specifically placed in the hierarchy.

Puntos Clave

NUC has the highest priority in the hierarchy

Power-driven vessels give way to almost all other categories

Sailing vessels give way to NUC, RAM, and fishing vessels

This hierarchy can be overridden by overtaking rules (Rule 13)

Errores Frecuentes

Forgetting that an overtaking vessel must give way regardless of hierarchy

Confusing the position of constrained-by-draught vessels in the hierarchy

Pon a Prueba tus Conocimientos

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