Forty Years On The Pacific/Rule of the Road at Sea

by Frank Coffee

Two Steamships Meeting

When all three lights I see ahead,

I port my helm and show my RED.

Two Steamships Passing

Green to Green, or Red to Red,

Perfect safety—Go ahead.

Two Steamships Crossing

(This is the position of the greatest danger; there is nothing for it but good lookout, caution and judgment.)

If to my starboard Red appear,

It is my duty to keep clear;

To act as judgment says is proper;

To PORT—Back—or Stop her!

But if upon my Port is seen

A steamer's starboard light of Green,

For me there's naught to do but see

That Green to Port keeps clear for me.