🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 14 – Head-on situation (International & Inland Navigation Rules) • Treating a vessel pushing ahead with a barge as a power-driven vessel for Rules of the Road purposes • Standard passing practice: port-to-port versus starboard-to-starboard meeting

💭 Think About

• Look at the illustration: are the two power-driven vessels clearly meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses (i.e., a head-on situation)? • In a head-on situation between power-driven vessels, what does Rule 14 require each vessel to do with her course? • Is sound signaling in this situation used to decide who maneuvers, or to indicate the maneuver already required by the Rules?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in Rule 14 that both power-driven vessels in a head-on situation have the same obligation regarding alteration of course. • Confirm that a tug pushing a barge ahead is still treated as a power-driven vessel for meeting and crossing rules. • Check whether the Rules say to use whistle signals to negotiate who moves, or to signal an already-determined passing arrangement.