🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 9 – Narrow Channels: especially the part about vessels crossing the channel and vessels that can safely navigate only within the channel. • Difference between stand-on/give-way and the separate duty to not impede another vessel’s safe passage. • How a deeply loaded vessel in a narrow channel is treated under the Rules compared with a smaller crossing vessel.

💭 Think About

• Look at which vessel is confined to the channel by draft and which vessel is free to maneuver. How does Rule 9 tell the more maneuverable vessel to behave? • Ask yourself whether the current direction changes which vessel is stand-on, or whether the Rules talk about current at all in narrow channels. • Consider whether this is an unusual, ‘special circumstance,’ or just a normal narrow-channel situation covered directly by a specific Rule.

✅ Before You Answer

• Read the part of Rule 9(d) – Narrow Channels that mentions a vessel crossing a channel and whether it may impede the passage of another vessel. • Confirm that vessel length (under or over 65 feet) is not the deciding factor in Rule 9 for this situation. • Verify whether running with the current is mentioned anywhere in Rule 9 as a basis for being the stand-on vessel.