Section II: Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
The give-way vessel: Rule 16
In practice
- You are giving way: do it early and boldly, so the other bridge has no doubts.
- The goal is to keep well clear, not to "scrape past somehow".
- How to act is Rule 8: the manoeuvre is to be readable, made in good time and checked until the end.
Text of Rule 16: Action by Give-way Vessel
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
Text of the International Regulations as amended, quoted from the consolidated U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules (public domain); spelling follows the IMO original. When in doubt, the Convention decides.