Passing in the night

In the daytime, giving way to a ship at sea can be simply a matter of a minor course alteration to clear his stern. Twenty or thirty degrees is generally more than enough. At night, it’s a different story, because all he can see of you is your lights. You may be making a good radar target, but it’s safest to assume you are not. For the bridge watch to know you are giving way, you must turn far enough to show him a light of a different colour. This can be inconvenient, but it’s reassuring to know he’s in no doubt about your intentions.