Shen44 wrote:
....
Since the harbor entrance in still under Inland rules, I might guess
this happened in the Chesapeake.


The number of ports with a "control" entity is increasing. Donal is correct
regarding the way a "control" might handle this situation, however, world wide,
these controllers are still the exception, not the rule.
If you're talking the Chessy, like otn, I question which rules applied
(int/inl).

All of Chesapeake Bay is under the "Inland Rules." Also, Delaware Bay,
NY Lower Bay, Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, Casco
Bay are Inland, and large enough to handle the ships in this scenario.
Also, there are numerous secondary ports that accommodate smaller
ships that would not have "harbor control."

For those that don't know the US rules, there are "Inland Rules," almost
the same as the Colregs, but with a few differences. The largest
difference is the lights for tows, with special rules for the Western
Rivers. Also, the passing signals in the Inland Rules allow for
proposing and accepting/rejecting alternate passing. These arrangements
may be made over the radio, in which case whistles need not be used.
Under Int'l rules the whistle must always be used. Also, the concept if
"Constrained by Draft" does not exist in the Inland Rules. Another
difference, often overlooked, is that small powerboats, including
dinghies, are exempt from using sidelights under Int'l Rules, but they
are required for Inland. I've left a few other Int'l/Inland differences
for the nit pickers.

There is a line on US charts that shows the "demarcation" between Inland
and Int'l Rules, often called the "Colregs Line." Usually Int'l rules
are in affect when you leave the harbor, but the larger Bays and Sounds
are Inland. The question always get raised, what if a boat in Inland
waters meets with boat in Int'l waters?