SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-give-way-meaning
Under the Navigation Rules, what must a give-way vessel do?
Take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
- Hold its course and speed
- Take early, substantial action to keep clear ✔
- Sound five short blasts first
Why: The give-way vessel is the one the rules tell to stay out of the other boat's way. It should act early and clearly, so the other boat can see it is giving way.
Huh, didn't know that: Small, last-second turns can confuse the other boat; a big, early turn shows your intent.
Why did the polite boat always win? It knew when to give way.
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References
Answer: Take early, substantial action to keep clear. The give-way vessel is the one the rules tell to stay out of the other boat's way. It should act early and clearly, so the other boat can see it is giving way.
- NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
Checked 2026-10-09.
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