Head-on, Crossing, Overtaking and Sailing Rules
Identifying encounter type and vessel status, then applying the correct give-way, stand-on and last-resort responsibilities.
How to prepare for Day Skipper Theory
Learn the navigation foundations first, combine tide and weather into berth-to-berth plans, then rehearse collision avoidance, electronic cross-checks, seamanship and emergency decisions.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Overtaking status takes priority when a vessel approaches from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam and continues until finally past and clear.
Exam cue: Identify vessel type, operation, relative approach and applicable special rule before assigning duties.
Concept 2
Power-driven head-on and crossing encounters have distinct actions, while sailing-vessel rules depend on tack, wind side and overtaking status.
Exam cue: If in doubt whether overtaking, assume that you are overtaking.
Concept 3
A stand-on vessel should maintain course and speed initially but retains duties to monitor, may act when the give-way vessel is not acting appropriately and must act when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone.
Exam cue: Plan a clear action that preserves sea room and avoids creating another close-quarters situation.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Using the crossing rule when the vessel is actually overtaking.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat theory study as a substitute for recognised assessment or practical skippering competence.
Assuming a sailing vessel always has priority over every power-driven vessel.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat theory study as a substitute for recognised assessment or practical skippering competence.
Treating stand-on status as a right to hold course into collision.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target as an official RYA paper and do not treat theory study as a substitute for recognised assessment or practical skippering competence.
Memory anchors
Overtaking Continues
The overtaking vessel remains responsible until finally past and clear.
Head-On to Starboard
Power-driven vessels meeting head-on generally alter to starboard.
Crossing Give-Way
A power vessel with the other on her starboard side keeps out of the way.
If in Doubt, Overtaking
Treat an uncertain overtaking situation conservatively.
Stand-On Still Acts
Stand-on duties never remove the obligation to avoid collision.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Two power-driven vessels meet head-on with collision risk. What should each do?
In a power-driven crossing, which vessel normally gives way?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
What is Pass Harbor?
Completely free exam prep for 247 UK exams.
- Practice questions
- Flashcards
- Study guides
- Mock exams
- No registration
- No paywall
- Start instantly
“No more expensive exam prep. Quality study tools should be accessible to everyone.”