Rule 9 — Narrow channels
Keep to the starboard side. If you are small or under sail, don't impede the ship that can only navigate within the channel. Don't cross if it would impede her. And when the vessel ahead must move over to let you pass, signal and get her agreement first. Rule 9 paragraph by paragraph, and where yachts and small craft fit into it.
Rule 9(a): a vessel proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway keeps as near to its outer limit on her starboard side 'as is safe and practicable'. Rules 9(b) to (d) set out who must not impede whom. Rule 9(e) covers overtaking when the vessel being overtaken has to act. Rule 9(f) covers bends and obscured stretches. Rule 9(g) says to avoid anchoring in a narrow channel, if the circumstances of the case admit.
Rule 9 does not say, and gives no width. In our view it is a judgement made from the chart and the water in front of you: a buoyed or dredged channel, a harbour approach, a river — anywhere the navigable water is confined enough that vessels using it are channelled along it. If you are unsure whether Rule 9 applies, plan as though it does.
No. 9(a) asks for as near the starboard-side outer limit as is safe and practicable — not as near as possible. Depth, your draught, the bank, moored vessels and the set of the stream all bear on how close is safe.
Small craft (under 20 metres) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that 'can safely navigate only within' the channel or fairway. The protection is for a vessel confined to the channel — not for every vessel using it.
Not to a motor yacht of 20 metres or more — 9(b) names vessels of less than 20 metres and sailing vessels. A vessel under sail is covered whatever her length. But a sailing yacht using her engine counts as a power-driven vessel (Rule 3, General definitions), so at 20 metres or more under power 9(b) no longer applies to her. A larger motor yacht is still bound by the rest of Rule 9, including keeping to starboard under 9(a) and not crossing so as to impede under 9(d).
Fishing vessels must not impede 'any other vessel' navigating within the channel or fairway. That is wider than 9(b): it protects any vessel navigating within the channel, not only one that can safely navigate only within it.
Yes, but under 9(d) not if the crossing impedes the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within that channel or fairway. If that vessel is in doubt about the crossing vessel's intention, she may use the signal in Rule 34(d) (Manoeuvring and warning signals).
All of these are 'not to impede' duties, so Rule 8(f) applies to them: take early action to leave sufficient sea room, and keep that obligation even if risk of collision develops.
Rule 9(e)(i) covers the case where overtaking can take place only if the vessel being overtaken acts to permit safe passing. The vessel intending to overtake signals her intention with the signal in Rule 34(c)(i). The vessel being overtaken, if she agrees, sounds the signal in Rule 34(c)(ii) and takes steps to permit safe passing; if she is in doubt, she may sound the signals in Rule 34(d).
Rule 9(e)(ii) adds that none of this relieves the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13 (Overtaking). Agreeing to be overtaken does not take that obligation off her.
A vessel nearing a bend, or any part of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be hidden by an intervening obstruction, must navigate with 'particular alertness and caution' and sound the signal in Rule 34(e). Being alert also means being ready for what comes round the corner — at a speed that lets you act, under Rule 6.
Rule 9(g) says any vessel shall avoid anchoring in a narrow channel, if the circumstances of the case admit. It is not an absolute ban — an emergency may leave no choice — but it is a duty to choose somewhere else whenever you can.
Yes. Rule 9 sits alongside the rest of Part B, not in place of it. Its own text points to Rule 13 for overtaking, and Rule 8(f)(iii) keeps the vessel being protected fully bound by the steering and sailing rules if risk of collision develops. Where a channel runs into or through a traffic separation scheme, Rule 10 applies too.
It may come up as a scenario in a channel or harbour approach. Examples of the kind of question to be ready for:
“You're on a sailing yacht in a buoyed channel and a large ship is coming up astern. What do you do?”
“Does Rule 9(b) apply to your vessel? Why?”
“You want to overtake a slower vessel in the channel and she will have to move over. How do you go about it?”
“You're approaching a blind bend. What does the rule require?”
“Can you cross the channel ahead of that ship?”
The common slips: saying 'keep to starboard' as if it meant 'as close to the edge as possible'; applying 9(b) without checking whether you are under sail or under 20 metres, and whether the other vessel can only navigate within the channel; forgetting that 9(c) protects any vessel in the channel; and forgetting Rule 13 still applies to an agreed overtake.
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