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What is a stand-on 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
Stand-on vessel

In an in-sight encounter where another vessel is required to keep out of the way, the stand-on vessel initially keeps her course and speed so the other vessel can plan a clear maneuver.

Related terms

Give-way vesselHeading, course, and bearingStarboard

How it works

Stand-on is a duty to be predictable, not a guarantee of safety or ownership of the water. Rule 17 allows the stand-on vessel to act when it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.

When collision can no longer be avoided by the give-way vessel’s action alone, the stand-on vessel must take the action that will best help avoid collision. Both vessels remain responsible under Rule 2.

A three-stage responsibility

Think in stages: initially keep course and speed; when non-compliance becomes apparent, you may act; when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent collision, you must act. In restricted visibility when vessels are not in sight, Rule 19 applies and there is no stand-on vessel.

On the water

  • In a power-driven crossing, the vessel that has the other on her port side is normally stand-on.
  • The vessel being overtaken is stand-on until the overtaking vessel is finally past and clear.
  • Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on are both required to alter course; neither is stand-on.

Common mistake

“Stand-on means never turn” is wrong. Waiting beyond the point where collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone breaches the stand-on vessel’s later duty.

Remember it

STAND ON predictably—then step in when safety requires it.

See it in context

Learn Rule 17 in three stagesSee when the stand-on vessel holds, may act, and must act.Classify a crossing encounterIdentify the stand-on and give-way vessels in a power-driven crossing.Practise encounter decisionsMake the call before seeing the rule explanation.Test stand-on decisionsWork the rules question bank and check your Rule 17 staging.