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What is a give-way vessel?

Crossing situation, Rule 15Your power-driven vessel heads up the page. Another power-driven vessel approaches from your starboard side, heading across your course. You are marked GIVE WAY in amber with a curved arrow turning to starboard to pass astern of her. She is marked STAND ON in green and holds her course and speed.on your starboard bowpass asternYOU — GIVE WAYturn starboard, don’t cross aheadSTAND ONholds course and speed
Rule 15 — power-driven vessels crossing: the vessel that has the other on her own starboard side gives way. Turn to starboard and pass astern — avoid crossing ahead.
Direct answer
Give-way vessel

A give-way vessel is the vessel directed by the applicable Navigation Rule to keep out of the way. She should take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

Related terms

Stand-on vesselStarboardTack

How it works

The role comes from the complete encounter, not a permanent rank attached to a vessel. A sailing vessel overtaking a power-driven vessel is give-way because overtaking continues to control until she is finally past and clear.

Rule 16 works with Rule 8: the action should be positive, obvious to the other vessel, and large enough to produce a safe passing distance. The result must then be checked until the vessels are past and clear.

Give way early, not at the last moment

Good give-way action creates time and sea room. It may be a substantial course alteration, a speed reduction, stopping, or another safe action suited to the circumstances. Turning to starboard or passing astern is common in some encounters, but neither is a universal command.

On the water

  • In a power-driven crossing, the vessel with the other on her own starboard side is normally give-way.
  • An overtaking vessel remains give-way regardless of the vessel types.
  • On opposite tacks under Rule 12, the sailing vessel with wind on the port side keeps clear.

Common mistake

The give-way vessel does not always turn to starboard. Overtaking, sailing, narrow-channel, and vessel-responsibility situations may require a different safe action.

Remember it

GIVE-WAY goes early and makes the intention obvious.

See it in context

Learn Rule 16Connect early action with the broader action requirements of Rule 8.See why overtaking overrides typeThe overtaking vessel remains give-way until finally past and clear.Practise give-way choicesWork through head-on, crossing, sailing, and overtaking scenarios.Test give-way decisionsPractise rules questions where early, substantial action is the answer.