| Today's waterways are often jam-packed with | | | | a manner as to make their intentions clear, and |
| boat traffic, and if you don't know the rules on | | | | safely pass portside to portside (left sides). |
| who has the right of way, you could get into | | | | Crossing Paths When a boat is on a course that |
| serious trouble. The most basic rules should be | | | | will cross paths of another boat, and a collision |
| known and followed by all boat operators. | | | | could occur if someone does not give way, the |
| First of all, let's get the terminology down: | | | | boat on the right is always the privileged vessel |
| 1) Stand-on. This term refers to staying on | | | | and the other boat must give way. |
| course when you have the right of way, and | | | | Passing a Boat If you are following another boat |
| making no alterations in your course. | | | | in a narrow waterway (river, canal, or marked |
| 2) Give way. This means that if you are in a | | | | channel), you are the burdened vessel and must |
| course conflict and the other boat has the | | | | give way to the boat in front of you (the |
| stand-on course, you must alter your course and | | | | privileged vessel). If you want to pass, the |
| let the other boat pass first. | | | | procedure is to sound two short blasts on your |
| 3) Burdened vessel. This simply means the boat | | | | horn, letting the boat in front know that you want |
| that has the responsibility to give way. | | | | to pass on the boats portside (left). If the skipper |
| 4) Privileged vessel. This is the boat that is | | | | feels it is safe to pass, they will signal back with |
| allowed to stand-on course, according to the rules. | | | | two short blasts. |
| Now for some rules of the road (er, water): | | | | However, if the skipper in front does not want |
| Sailboats All sailboats, when under sail power only, | | | | you to pass (perhaps they see something ahead |
| have the stand-on course and if you have a | | | | you can't see), they will signal back with five short |
| powerboat, or are under power, you must give | | | | blasts. No return signal means the same as five |
| way when meeting or crossing their course. | | | | short blasts, so you should hang back until you |
| Commercial Boats All commercial boats restricted | | | | reach open water, or receive two short horn |
| by their draft have stand-on rights over all | | | | blasts from the boat in front. |
| recreational boats-including sailboats. | | | | When Rules Fail Unfortunately, the waters are full |
| Commercial Fishing Boats All fishing boats towing | | | | of boats and skippers that either do not know |
| fishing nets have stand-on status over all | | | | the rules, or do not care...or both. In encountering |
| recreational boats-including sailboats. Fishing boats | | | | a boat that is standing-on when they should be |
| can be particularly problematic, because | | | | giving way, it becomes your responsibility to give |
| sometimes it is difficult to see the boundaries of a | | | | way to avoid a collision. Sadly, if you stand-on |
| net or trawl being towed behind the boat until it is | | | | course (even though you have the right of way) |
| too late and you have yards of fishing net | | | | and a collision ensues-you will be held partially |
| wrapped around your prop-not to mention a very | | | | responsible. |
| angry fisherman. | | | | Hopefully, these basic right of way rules for boats |
| Meeting Another Boat When meeting another | | | | will help you better enjoy your boating |
| boat, both boats should steer to the right in such | | | | adventures. |