Rules of the Road · Steering & Sailing Rules
Rule 14(c) states that if a vessel is in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists, she shall:
- AStand on and wait for the other vessel to take action
- BSound the doubt signal of five short blasts
- CAssume a head-on situation exists and act accordingly✓ Correct
- DContact the other vessel on VHF to clarify the situation
Explanation
Rule 14(c) resolves ambiguity with a safety default: assume it is head-on and apply Rule 14 — alter to starboard. This prevents a vessel from standing on a potentially fatal course while waiting for certainty. The doubt signal is a general safety signal but is not the Rule 14(c) directive.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Rule 14(c)
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