<P> A commonly held misconception concerning the rules of marine navigation is that by following specific rules , a vessel can gain certain rights of way over other vessels . No vessel ever has absolute `` right of way '' over other vessels . Rather , there can be a `` give way '' ( burdened ) vessel and a `` stand on '' ( privileged ) vessel , or there may be two give way vessels with no stand on vessel . A stand on vessel does not have an absolute right of way over any give way vessel , for if there is a risk of collision , a stand on vessel may still be obliged under Rule 2 and Rule 17 to give way so as to avoid it , if doing so will be effective and is practicable . Two power - driven vessels approaching each other head to head , are both deemed to be `` give way '' and both are required to alter course so as to avoid colliding with the other . Neither vessel has `` right of way '' . </P>
<P> A commonly held misconception concerning the rules of marine navigation is that by following specific rules , a vessel can gain certain rights of way over other vessels . No vessel ever has absolute `` right of way '' over other vessels . Rather , there can be a `` give way '' ( burdened ) vessel and a `` stand on '' ( privileged ) vessel , or there may be two give way vessels with no stand on vessel . A stand on vessel does not have an absolute right of way over any give way vessel , for if there is a risk of collision , a stand on vessel may still be obliged under Rule 2 and Rule 17 to give way so as to avoid it , if doing so will be effective and is practicable . Two power - driven vessels approaching each other head to head , are both deemed to be `` give way '' and both are required to alter course so as to avoid colliding with the other . Neither vessel has `` right of way '' . </P>
who has the right of way in international waters
who has the right of way in international waters
Neither vessel
Neither vessel