Head-on

Rule 14

When two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so that risk of collision exists:

both alter course to starboard

each passes on the other's port side

At night, a typical head-on indication is seeing both the red and green sidelights of the other vessel.

If in doubt whether a head-on situation exists, treat it as one.

Inland nuance

The Inland Rule contains additional wording relating to agreement between vessels and special provisions for vessels proceeding downbound with a following current on specified rivers and waters.