Rule 2

Responsibility

General

Nothing excuses neglect — and good seamanship may even require departing from the rules to avoid immediate danger.

In plain language

Rule 2 is the safety net around every other rule. You are always responsible for the consequences of neglecting the rules or of ignoring ordinary good seamanship. And when strictly following a rule would cause a collision, you must depart from it — avoiding immediate danger outranks the letter of the law.

Takeaway

Having right of way is no defense — your first duty is always to avoid the collision.