A PDV has a sailing vessel on its port bow with ROC existing. Which rule applies?

• A. Rule 18 applies.
• B. Rule 13 applies.
• C. Rule 15 Crossing.
• D. Rule 19 applies.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a power-driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel when there’s any risk of collision. This priority is stated in Rule 18. So even though the sailing vessel is ahead on the PDV’s port side (the port bow) and there’s a risk of collision, the PDV is the one who must take action to avoid it. The sailing vessel, being under sail and not relying on power, has the right of way in this interaction, and the PDV should slow down, alter course, or take other early and substantial action to pass safely.

The other rules don’t apply here in the same way: overtaking rules aren’t the scenario, and neither head-on nor restricted visibility rules are specifically triggered by this description. The essential point is that Rule 18 governs interactions between a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel, so it’s the correct rule to apply.