
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: 33USC2017]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                   Part B--Steering and Sailing Rules
 
         subpart ii--conduct of vessels in sight of one another
 
Sec. 2017. Action by stand-on vessel (Rule 17)


(a) Stand-on vessel to keep course and speed; action allowed when give-
        way vessel fails to take appropriate action

    (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other 
shall keep her course and speed.
    (ii) The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision 
by her maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the 
vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action 
in compliance with these Rules.

(b) Action by stand-on vessel allowed when action by give-way vessel 
        alone cannot avoid collision

    When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and 
speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the 
action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will 
best aid to avoid collision.

(c) Crossing situations

    A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in 
accordance with subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision 
with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case 
admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.

(d) Give-way vessel not relieved of obligation to keep out of the way

    This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to 
keep out of the way.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3421.)

                       References in Text

    These Rules, referred to in par. (a)(ii), are the Inland 
Navigational Rules which are classified to this subchapter.

                          Codification

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

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2011, 2013, 2018 of this 
title.
