1. As a general rule, the overtaking vessel shall pass to port of the vessel being overtaken. When overtaking is possible without danger of a collision, the overtaking vessel is allowed to pass also on starboard side of the vessel being overtaken. If overtaking is possible without the vessel being overtaken changing its course or speed, the overtaking vessel need give no sound signal.
2. When overtaking is impossible without the vessel being overtaken changing course, or when it appears that the vessel being overtaken may not have noticed the intention to overtake and that this may cause a danger of collision, the overtaking vessel shall sound:
(a) Two long blasts followed by two short blasts if it wishes to pass to port;
(b) Two long blasts followed by one short blast if it wishes to pass to starboard.
3. If the vessel being overtaken can grant this request by the overtaking vessel, it shall leave the necessary space on the side requested, moving over towards the other side if necessary, and sound:
(a) One short blast when it is to be overtaken to port;
(b) Two short blasts when it is to be overtaken to starboard.
4. When overtaking is not possible on the side requested by the overtaking vessel, but possible on the other side, the vessel being overtaken shall sound:
(a) One short blast when overtaking is possible to port;
(b) Two short blasts when overtaking is possible to starboard.
If the overtaking vessel still wishes to pass, it shall then sound two short blasts in case (a) or one short blast in case (b).
The vessel being overtaken shall then leave the necessary space on the side on which it is to be overtaken, moving over to the other side if necessary.
5. When overtaking is impossible without danger of a collision, the vessel being overtaken shall sound five short blasts.
6. In the case of two sailing vessels, the overtaking vessel shall as a general rule pass on the side on which the vessel being overtaken has the wind. This provision shall not apply to a small sailing craft which is overtaken by another sailing vessel.
When a vessel is being overtaken by a sailing vessel, it shall facilitate overtaking on the side on which the overtaking craft has the wind. This provision shall not apply to a small sailing craft overtaking another vessel.
7. Paragraphs 2 to 5 above shall not apply to small craft in relation to other vessels or to small craft overtaking other small craft.