Rules of the Road · Steering & Sailing Rules
Under Rule 14(b), a head-on situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees another vessel ahead and:
- AThe other vessel's masthead lights are in line and her range lights can be seen
- BAt night, she can see the masthead lights of the other vessel in a line or nearly in a line, or both sidelights✓ Correct
- CThe bearing to the other vessel does not change over a 3-minute period
- DBoth vessels are on courses within 10 degrees of each other
Explanation
Rule 14(b) specifies the visual indicators of a head-on situation at night: masthead lights in line (or nearly in line) and/or both sidelights visible. This is the practical way mariners identify the head-on meeting without requiring precise course comparison.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Rule 14(b)
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