🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 15 – Crossing Situation (which vessel is the give-way vessel and which is the stand-on vessel based on who has the other on her starboard side?) • Rule 17 – Action by stand-on vessel (what is the primary duty of the stand-on vessel, and when may/must she maneuver?) • International Rule 34 – Maneuvering and warning signals (in international waters, what does one short blast mean, and when should a vessel repeat or answer that signal?)

💭 Think About

• From each vessel’s viewpoint, which side is the other vessel on? Use that to decide who must keep out of the way and who must maintain course and speed. • If the other vessel (the give-way vessel) sounds one short blast, what maneuver is she announcing in INTERNATIONAL waters, and is that consistent with her obligation under Rule 15? • As the stand-on vessel, under what circumstances would you change course/speed or sound a maneuvering signal in response, and when would you simply maintain your current course and speed?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm which vessel is stand-on by checking which one has the other on her starboard side. • Verify what one short blast means under International Rule 34(a) (it is NOT “I intend to leave you on my port side” – that’s Inland). • Ask whether the rules require the stand-on vessel to sound a maneuvering signal if she is simply maintaining course and speed, or only when she is altering course or speed.