🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 14 – Head-on Situation in the Navigation Rules (COLREGS and Inland) • Relative bearing needed to be considered "head-on" (meeting nearly end-on) • Required masthead light and sidelights arrangements for power-driven vessels underway at night

💭 Think About

• Think about what you should see when another power-driven vessel is coming almost directly toward you, not crossing or overtaking. • Ask yourself: in a true head-on meeting, are you seeing mostly one side of the vessel, or are you seeing the forward aspect of both sides? • Compare what lights are visible in a crossing situation versus a meeting (head-on) situation.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which lights are shown on the port and starboard sides of a power-driven vessel underway. • Confirm how many sidelights you would expect to see if you are nearly on the vessel’s bow, not off to one side. • Make sure you distinguish between seeing one sidelight (off one bow) and both sidelights (dead ahead).