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A comment on Why Did a U.S. Destroyer Fail to Dodge a Cargo Ship?. Parent comment

Re:Why Did a U.S. Destroyer Fail to Dodge a Cargo Ship? by barrkel on Saturday June 24, 2017 @02:02PM (#14626651)
Everybody's responsible for avoiding an accident. Thinking in terms of right of way is exactly how this kind of accident happens. That's what makes you think you're right to proceed towards what looks like a certain collision.

(It's the same on the road; you have to take it as an article of faith that other people will respect your right of way, but at the same time, it makes sense not to go past junctions with waiting cars too quickly, just in case they don't see you. If you get hit, it might not be your fault, but that's little consolation if you're injured or killed.)

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Re:Why Did a U.S. Destroyer Fail to Dodge a Cargo Ship? by mpyne on Saturday June 24, 2017 @07:19PM (#14627887)
Well, the international regulations that govern maritime traffic do think in terms like right of way. They define for various scenarios of two ships approaching the other which one is the "stand on" vessel, that must maintain course and speed, and which one is the "give way" vessel, which must maneuver around the other.

Of course, the rules do also say that both ships are responsible for avoiding collisions with the other, and that both are free to maneuver to avoid collision if they are put in extremis by failure to follow the navigation rules.

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