Two power-driven vessels meet nearly head-on with risk of collision. What does each do?

The vessel on the other's starboard side stands on

At night, which view tells you it's a head-on situation?

Masthead lights in line and/or both sidelights

A green sidelight and a sternlight

On the Western Rivers (Inland), who proposes the manner of passage when meeting?

The power-driven vessel downbound with a following current

Rule 14: Head-on Situation (COLREGS)

Last reviewed October 21, 2026

The short answer

Rule 14 says that when two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with risk of collision, each alters course to starboard so they pass port to port. If you see the other vessel's masthead lights in line, or both sidelights, it's head-on. If in doubt, assume it is.

The rule text

When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
International Rules, U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (NAVCEN, 2024 corrected edition), Rule 14

When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.
International Rules, U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (NAVCEN, 2024 corrected edition), Rule 14

What it means on the water

It only applies between two power-driven vessels (Rule 14(a)). A sailboat under sail meeting a power-driven vessel falls under Rule 18 instead.
Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both turn to starboard.
At night, the cue is the other vessel's masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line, and/or both sidelights (Rule 14(b)).
By day, it's the corresponding aspect: you're looking at her bow, nearly straight on.
Doubt counts as yes. Rule 14(c) tells you to assume a head-on situation exists.

International vs Inland

Inland adds Rule 14(d): on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current has the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, proposes the manner of passage, and initiates the Rule 34(a)(i) maneuvering signals. International has no equivalent.

Common exam traps

Answering "the vessel on the right stands on." In a true head-on situation there's no stand-on vessel.
Applying Rule 14 to a sailing vessel. Rule 14 covers two power-driven vessels only.
Forgetting Inland Rule 14(d) on the Western Rivers and Great Lakes.

Try 3 questions on Rule 14

Two power-driven vessels meet nearly head-on with risk of collision. What does each do?
1. Both alter course to port
2. Both alter course to starboard
3. The vessel on the other's starboard side stands on
4. Both stop engines
Show answer
B. Both alter course to starboard Rule 14(a): each alters course to starboard and passes port to port.
At night, which view tells you it's a head-on situation?
1. Only a red sidelight
2. Only the sternlight
3. Masthead lights in line and/or both sidelights
4. A green sidelight and a sternlight
Show answer
C. Masthead lights in line and/or both sidelights Rule 14(b) describes masthead lights in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights.
On the Western Rivers (Inland), who proposes the manner of passage when meeting?
1. The upbound vessel
2. The larger vessel
3. The power-driven vessel downbound with a following current
4. Whichever sounds first
Show answer
C. The power-driven vessel downbound with a following current Inland Rule 14(d) gives the downbound vessel with a following current the right-of-way and the job of proposing the passage.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rule 14 apply to sailing vessels?

No. Rule 14 applies when two power-driven vessels meet. Encounters with a sailing vessel are covered by Rule 18 and, between two sailing vessels, Rule 12.