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    Safety information

           Crossing                             Other special situations
           When two power-driven vessels are crossing  There are three other rules you  should be
           each other’s path close enough to run the risk  aware of when operating your boat around
           of collision, the vessel which has the other on  other vessels.
           the starboard (right) side must keep out of the  Narrow channels and bends
           way of the other. If the other vessel is on your  When navigating in narrow channels, you
           starboard (right) side, you must keep out of  should keep to the right when it is safe and
           its way; you are the give-way vessel. If the  practical to do so. If the operator of a power-
           other vessel is on your port (left) side, remem-  driven vessel is preparing to go around a
           ber that you should maintain course and di-  bend that may obstruct the view of other wa-
           rection, provided the other vessel gives you  ter vessels, the operator should sound a pro-
           the right-of-way, as it should.      longed  blast of four to six seconds  on  the
                                                horn. If another vessel is around the bend, it
                                                too should sound the horn. Even if no reply is
                                                heard, however, the vessel should still pro-
                                                ceed around the bend with caution.
                                                Fishing vessel right-of-way
                                                All vessels fishing with nets, lines, or trawls
                                                are considered to be “fishing vessels” under
                                                the International Rules. Vessels with trolling
                                                lines are not considered fishing vessels. Fish-
                                                ing vessels have the right-of-way regardless
                                                of position. Fishing vessels cannot, however,
           Overtaking                           impede the passage of other vessels in nar-
           If you are passing another vessel, you are the
                                                row channels.
           give-way vessel. This means that the other
                                                Sailing vessel right-of-way
           vessel is expected to maintain its course and
                                                Sailing vessels should normally be given the
           speed. You must stay out of its way until you
                                                right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
           are clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel is
                                                (1) When the sailing vessel is overtaking the
           passing you, you should maintain your speed
                                                   power-driven  vessel, the power-driven
           and direction so that the other  vessel can
                                                   vessel has the right-of-way.
           steer itself around you.
                                                (2) Sailing vessels should keep clear of any
                                                   fishing vessel.
                                                (3) In a  narrow channel, a sailing vessel
                                                   should not hamper the safe passage of a
                                                   power-driven vessel that can navigate
                                                   only in such a channel.
                                                Reading buoys and other markers
                                                The waters of the United States are marked
                                                for safe navigation by the lateral system of
                                                buoyage. Simply put, buoys and markers
                                                have an arrangement of shapes, colors, num-

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