By Vincent Pica

Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Over 130 years ago, Captain George Eldridge set to poetry the most essential aspect of the Rules of the Road (COLREGs.) From this, the renowned Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book, the most respected tide and current guide since 1874, was born. I’ve had one at the helm of my vessels since, well, I can’t remember that far back. Here is what the Captain penned, and the dissection…

When all three lights I see ahead,

I turn to Starboard and show my Red.                           Rule 14!

Green to Green, Red to Red,

Perfect Safety – Go Ahead.

But if to Starboard Red appear,

It is my duty to keep clear –                                   Rule 15(a)!

To act as judgment says is proper:

To Port or Starboard, Back or Stop her.

And if upon my Port is seen

A Steamer’s Starboard light of Green,                            Rule 15(b)!

I hold my course and watch to see *

That Green to Port stays Clear of me.

Both in safety and in doubt

Always keep a good look out.                                Rule 5!

In danger, with no room to turn,

Ease her, Stop her, Go Astern.

* “There’s nought for me to do but see” is the original version.

Rule 13 – Overtaking

Bottom line, if you are overtaking another vessel, you are the Give-Way vessel.  Here are three ways to tell who is who:

  1. At night, you can see a white light and no red or green side lights. The white light is either an anchor light or it is the stern light.  You are overtaking that vessel. Don’t hit her!
  2. During the day, if at a distance you see an uninterrupted wake from one side of the boat to the other, you are overtaking her. If you see a break in the middle of the wake, you are not. (see rule 14 below!)
  3. When in doubt, assume you are the overtaking vessel and act accordingly.

Rule 14 – Head-On

When two vessels are on opposite compass courses, this is a problem. Here are three ways to tell what’s what:

  1. At night, if you see three lights – red, green and a white light above them, you are definitely heading straight at each other.
  2. During the day, if at a distance you see an interrupted wake in the middle of the boat’s aspect, you are very likely heading right at each other.  That break is the bow cutting through the water.
  3. When in doubt, assume you are on reciprocal courses and act accordingly.

In this situation, both vessels are “Give-Way” and both are required, where conditions permit, to turn to starboard and open up a passing lane between them. Remember, take “early and substantial” action so that your maneuver is “telegraphed” to the other skipper.

Rule 15 – Crossing

When two vessels appear to be heading across each other’s paths, this is by definition a crossing situation, but how can you tell if you are actually on a collision course? Here are three ways to determine who’s who:

  1. At night, if you see a red light and a white light above it and trailing behind, you are crossing each other’s path and she is the Stand-On vessel (red means stop!) You are thus the Give-Way. If you see a green and a white light above it and trailing behind, you have a crossing situation where you are the Stand-On vessel – but keep an eye on her always! During the day, you can obviously see if the vessel is crossing your path on your starboard side (you are Give-Way) or your port (you are Stand-On.)
  2. Mark the other boat’s progress against something fixed on your boat – a cleat, a stanchion, the anchor – anything that is traveling with you. If the opposing boat continues to hover on or around that fixed mark as you both continue your course and speed, a collision is about to happen!  If still in doubt, watch the land behind her. If she appears to be gaining on the land, she will pass ahead of you. If she seems to be falling back against the land, she’ll pass behind you. If the land is unchanged against her course over the water, sound collision alarm!
  3. When in doubt, assume you are on a collision course and act accordingly.In this situation, the Give-Way vessel is, by preference, to turn to starboard (towards the Stand-On boat) and go behind her (go “under her stern”).  Remember – take “early and substantial” action so that your maneuver is “telegraphed” to the other skipper.

Granted, you can’t reduce an inch of regulations to four stanzas, completely, but these words are the essential elements of what the rules are all about – avoiding a collision at sea!

Captain Andrew Tucci is the Captain of the Port and Sector Commander for US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. Captain Tucci is responsible for all active-duty, reservist and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel within the Sector. As Commodore of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary First District, Southern Region, Vin Pica works closely with Captain Tucci and his staff to promote boating safety in the waters between Connecticut, Long Island and 200 nautical miles offshore. Sector Long Island Sound Command Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 203-468-4401.