Article 6.04 - Meeting: Normal rules

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1. When two vessels are meeting and there may be a risk of collision, each vessel shall veer to starboard so as to pass on the port side of the other. This rule does not apply to small craft in relation to other vessels.

2. When meeting, vessels proceeding upstream shall, with due regard for local circumstances and the movements of other vessels, give way to vessels proceeding downstream.

3. Vessels proceeding upstream which leave the course of those proceeding downstream on their port side give no signal.

4. Vessels proceeding upstream which leave the course of those proceeding downstream on their starboard side shall in good time and to starboard:

(a) By night:

Display a bright scintillating white light in conjunction, if desired, with a light blue board.

(b) By day:

- Display a strong scintillating white light; or

- Display a light blue board in conjunction with a bright scintillating white light;

These signals shall be visible from ahead and from astern and be displayed until passing is completed. Their continued display after passing is completed is prohibited unless it is desired to indicate an intention to continue allowing vessels proceeding downstream to pass to starboard. The light blue board shall have a white border not less than 5 cm wide; the frame and lath structure and the lantern of the scintillating light shall be dark in colour.

5. As soon as it appears that the intentions of a vessel proceeding upstream may not have been understood by a vessel proceeding downstream, the vessel proceeding upstream shall sound:

- One short blast when the meeting is to be to port;

- Two short blasts when the meeting is to be to starboard.

6. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 6.05 below, vessels proceeding downstream shall follow the course indicated by those proceeding upstream in accordance with the above provisions; they shall repeat the visual signals referred to in paragraph 4 above or the sound signals referred to in paragraph 5 above made to them by vessels proceeding upstream.

7. Paragraphs 1 to 6 above shall not apply to small craft in relation to other vessels or to small craft meeting other small craft.

8. When two small craft are meeting and there may be a risk of collision, each vessel shall veer to starboard so as to pass on the port side of the other.

9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in paragraph 8 above, when, in the case of small craft of different categories, two small craft are meeting in such a manner that there is a risk of collision, motorized small craft shall give way to all other small craft and small craft neither motorized nor under sail shall give way to small craft under sail. However, the vessel navigating close to the boundary of a marked fairway with the boundary on its starboard side shall continue following the boundary of the fairway; the other vessel shall give way.