Rules of the Road

Sailing vessels on opposite tacks

Technical visualSailing vessels on opposite tacks
Sailing vessels on opposite tacksTwo sailing vessels approach with wind on different sides.PORT TACKSTARBOARD TACK
Sailing vessels on opposite tacksTwo sailing vessels approach with wind on different sides.PORT TACKSTARBOARD TACK
Rule 12 encounter view: identify each vessel’s tack from the wind direction.

Rule 12

When sailing vessels approach one another with risk of collision and have the wind on different sides:

the vessel with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way

Common shorthand: port tack gives way to starboard tack.

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