33 CFR 83.17: Action by stand-on vessel

Last reviewed: October 19, 2026

This Rule covers what a vessel does when the other vessel must keep out of her way. She keeps her course and speed, but may maneuver alone once the give-way vessel is not acting appropriately. She must act to best avoid collision when the give-way vessel's action alone cannot do so.

What it says

  1. Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other vessel shall keep her course and speed.

    33 CFR 83.17(a)(i)“Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.”

  2. The stand-on vessel may take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.

    33 CFR 83.17(a)(ii)“as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.”

  3. When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's action alone, she shall take the action that will best aid to avoid collision.

    33 CFR 83.17(b)“she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.”

  4. A power-driven vessel that acts in a crossing situation under paragraph (a)(ii) to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.

    33 CFR 83.17(c)“shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.”

  5. This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

    33 CFR 83.17(d)“This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.”

Common questions

What must the stand-on vessel do under Rule 17?

The stand-on vessel shall keep her course and speed where the other vessel is to keep out of the way.

“Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.”

When may a stand-on vessel maneuver on her own?

She may take action by her maneuver alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.

“as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.”

Does Rule 17 free the give-way vessel from keeping clear?

No. This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

“This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.”

The text of 33 CFR 83.17

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Action by stand-on vessel (Rule 17)

(a)(i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.

(ii) The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.

(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

(c) A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.

(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

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.