COLREGs Rule 17: Action by the stand-on vessel

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

Rule 17 covers what a vessel does when the other vessel must keep out of her way. She keeps her course and speed, but may act on her own if the give-way vessel does not act appropriately. She must act to aid in avoiding collision when the give-way vessel's action alone cannot avoid it. The International and Inland texts are the same in substance, differing only in how paragraph (c) refers to paragraph (a)(ii).

Applies toApplies to two vessels where one is required to keep out of the way of the other.

What it says

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

    COLREGs Rule 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 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.

    COLREGs Rule 17(a)(ii)“The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her”

  3. When the vessel required to keep her course and speed is so close that the give-way vessel's action alone cannot avoid collision, she must take the action that will best aid to avoid collision.

    COLREGs Rule 17(b)“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.”

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

    COLREGs Rule 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.

    COLREGs Rule 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 must 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.

“The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her”

Does Rule 17 release the give-way vessel from her duty?

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 COLREGs Rule 17

U.S. Coast Guard, Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook

Rule 17: Action by Stand-on Vessel

International (COLREGs)

(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 subparagraph (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.

Inland Rules

Action by stand-on vessel (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. ‡ See 33 CFR 89.25, provided for reference on page 145 of this handbook.

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 August 12, 2024. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.