33 U.S.C. § 2002 : US Code - Section 2002: Responsibility (Rule 2)

Search 33 U.S.C. § 2002 : US Code - Section 2002: Responsibility (Rule 2)

(a) Exoneration
Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner,
master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to
comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which
may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the
special circumstances of the case.
(b) Departure from rules when necessary to avoid immediate danger
In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be
had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special
circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved,
which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid
immediate danger.