Marine Traffic Rules

Two Vessels meeting:
Meeting steamers do not dread.
When you see three lights ahead,
Starboard wheel and show your red.

Two Vessels Passing:
Green to green or red to red,
Perfect safety, go ahead.

Two Vessels Crossing:
When to starboard red is near,
'Tis your duty to keep clear;
Act as judgment says is proper,
Port or starboard back or stop her.

But when upon your port is seen
A steamer’s starboard light of green,
There’s not so much for you to do,
For green to port gives way to you.

All Ships must keep a good Look-out, and Steamships must Stop and Go Astern if necessary.
Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good Look-out;
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her! - Stop her! - Go astern!

··· Author Unknown ···

Web Author’s note: A helpful Mnemonics Poem for remembering the rules of sea navigation.  The poem was written in the 1800's for steamships, and has been used as a Memory Aid and Learning the Rules by Rhyme for all types of vessels.

Document Updated: Mon, 05 Mar 2007, 03:52:00pm EST (GMT-4)