Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:
(a) A power-driven vesselThe term 'power-driven vessel' means any vessel propelled by machinery. underwayThe word 'underway' means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. shall keep out of the wayRule 16 Action by give way vessel - Every which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear. More of:
(i) a vessel not under commandThe term 'vessel not under command' means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. ;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvreThe term 'vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre' means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and therefore is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. The term 'vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre' shall include but not be limited to; (i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline; (ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations; (iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway; (iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft; (v) a vessel engaged in mineclearance operations; (vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course. ;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishingThe term 'vessel engaged in fishing' means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability. More;
(iv) a sailing vesselThe term 'sailing vessel' means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. .
(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
(d)
(i) Any vesselThe word 'vessel includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water'. other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draughtThe term 'vessel constrained by her draught' means a power-driven vessel which because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following. , exhibiting the signals in Rule 28A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder. More.
(ii) A vessel constrained by her draught shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.
(e) A seaplaneThe word 'seaplane' includes any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water. on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collisionThe term risk of collision is described in Rule 7. 'Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.' More exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.
(f)
(i) A WIGThe term 'Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft' means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action. Are you interested in learning more about WIG craft? Find out more here - What are wing in ground craft? More craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation;
(ii) a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Part as a power-driven vessel.