Rule 11

Application — in sight of one another

In sight of one another

The give-way rules (12–18) apply only when vessels can actually see each other.

In plain language

Rules 12 through 18 — the whole give-way and stand-on system — apply only to vessels in sight of one another, meaning one can be observed visually from the other. A radar contact in fog is not “in sight”: then Rule 19 governs instead, and there is no stand-on vessel at all.