Rule 19: ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION

ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION

Rule 19 applies between two boats at an obstruction except when rule 18 applies between them and

However, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.

(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side. If a right-of-way boat changes course when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
(b) When the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
(c) While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them,
- (1) she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b), and
- (2) while the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.