33 CFR § 83.18 - Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s83.18"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 83.18 - Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18)."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "83.18"
section_name: "Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18)."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "INLAND NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "83"
part_name: "NAVIGATION RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 2071; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "83"
---


# 83.18 Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18).

Except where Rules 9, 10, and 13 (§§ 83.09, 83.10, and 83.13) otherwise require:

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i) A vessel not under command;

(ii) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii) A vessel engaged in fishing;

(iv) A sailing vessel.

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i) A vessel not under command;

(ii) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver; and

(iii) A vessel engaged in fishing.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

(i) A vessel not under command; and

(ii) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

(d) [Reserved]

(e) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19); and

(f)(i) a WIG craft shall, when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface, keep well clear of all other vessels and avoid impeding their navigation; and

(ii) a WIG craft operating on the water surface shall comply with the Rules of this Subpart (Rules 4-19) (§§ 83.04 through 83.19) as a power-driven vessel.

[USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 68621, Nov. 18, 2014]