Rule 19 — Conduct in Restricted Visibility
Rule 19 applies to vessels not in sight of one another in restricted visibility. The stand-on/give-way rules (Rules 12–18) DO NOT APPLY in fog — every vessel must take its own avoiding action.
If you detect another vessel by radar only, avoid altering course to port for a vessel forward of your beam. Avoid altering course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam. In other words: in fog, if in doubt, slow down or stop.
Key Points
- Rules 12–18 do NOT apply when vessels are not in sight of each other
- Rule 19 replaces them in restricted visibility
- Avoid altering to port for a vessel forward of the beam
- Avoid turning towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam
- When in doubt: SLOW DOWN or STOP