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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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