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impede The phrase "do not impede" is used in Rule 9, Rule 10, and Rule 18. The simplest interpretation of not impede is to maneuver so as to prevent the development of risk of collision. For example, a smaller power-driven vessel crossing a channel (headed, say, eastbound) is instructed not to impede a vessel (ship) following the channel (headed, for example, southbound). In open water, this small vessel would be the stand-on vessel in this encounter, and would have right of way over the ship which would have to maneuver to stay clear, but in this channel the small vessel does not have right of way. In fact, it has less than no right of way! It is more burdened than a normal give-way vessel. If it were simply a give way vessel (i.e. westbound across the channel), it would have to maneuver to stay clear once within risk of collision. Here in the channel, this vessel must maneuver even before risk of collision exists, i.e. it must maneuver early enough that no risk develops. In short, "do not impede" is a stronger obligation than "keep out of the way of " and it develops before risk of collision exists.

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