33 CFR 83.14 : Navigation And Navigable Waters (§ 1.01-1 To Parts 404-499) — (§ 1.01-1 To Parts 121-124) — Coast Guard, Department Of Homeland Security (§ 1.01-1 To Parts 121-124) — Inland Navigation Rules (§ 83.01 To § 90.7) — Rules (§ 83.01 To § 83.38) — Steering And Sailing Rules (§ 83.04 To § 83.19) — Conduct Of Vessels In Sight Of One Another (§ 83.11 To § 83.18) — Head-on situation (Rule 14).

(a) Unless otherwise agreed, when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule, a power-driven vessel operating on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i) (§ 83.34(a)(i)), as appropriate.