33 CFR 83.15: Crossing situation between power-driven vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This rule covers two power-driven vessels crossing so as to involve risk of collision. The vessel that has the other on her starboard side must keep out of the way. A different rule applies to a vessel crossing a river on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary.
Applies toPower-driven vessels crossing so as to involve risk of collision, and power-driven vessels crossing a river on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary.
What it says
When two power-driven vessels cross and risk of collision exists, the vessel that has the other on her starboard side must keep out of the way.
33 CFR 83.15(a)“the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way”
That vessel must also avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel, if the circumstances of the case admit.
33 CFR 83.15(a)“shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel”
On the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel crossing a river must keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river, despite paragraph (a).
33 CFR 83.15(b)“a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river”
Common questions
Who gives way when two power-driven vessels are crossing?
The vessel that has the other on her starboard side must keep out of the way. This applies when the crossing involves risk of collision.
“the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way”
Must the give-way vessel avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel?
Yes, if the circumstances of the case admit, the vessel keeping out of the way must avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
“shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel”
Who keeps out of the way when a power-driven vessel crosses a river on the Western Rivers?
The power-driven vessel crossing the river must keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river. This also applies on the Great Lakes or water specified by the Secretary.
“a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river”
The text of 33 CFR 83.15
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Crossing situation (Rule 15)
(a) When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule, on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.