
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC2008]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                   Part B--Steering and Sailing Rules
 
      subpart i--conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility
 
Sec. 2008. Action to avoid collision (Rule 8)


(a) General characteristics of action taken to avoid collision

    Any action taken to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of 
the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to 
the observance of good seamanship.

(b) Readily apparent alterations in course or speed

    Any alteration of course or speed to avoid collision shall, if the 
circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent 
to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small 
alterations of course or speed should be avoided.

(c) Alteration of course to avoid close-quarters situation

    If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be 
the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation provided 
that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in 
another close-quarters situation.

(d) Action to result in passing at safe distance

    Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as 
to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action 
shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and 
clear.

(e) Slackening of vessel speed; stopping or reversing means of 
        propulsion

    If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the 
situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by 
stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.

(f) Early action to allow room for safe passage

    (i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede 
the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by 
the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea 
room for the safe passage of the other vessel.
    (ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of 
another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if approaching the 
other vessel so as to involve risk of collision and shall, when taking 
action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the 
Rules of this part.
    (iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded remains 
fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this part when the two vessels 
are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3419; Pub. L. 102-241, 
Sec. 21(2), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2217.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of section 2 of Pub. L. 96-591 which 
enacted the Inland Navigational Rules which comprise this subchapter.


                               Amendments

    1991--Par. (f). Pub. L. 102-241 added par. (f).

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2004, 2013, 2018, 2019 of 
this title.
