Three major responsibilities of every boater 1. Practice good seamanship. It is the responsibility of every boat or personal watercraft (PWC) operator to take all necessary action to avoid a collision, taking into account the weather, vessel traffic, and limits of other vessels. Such action should be taken in ample time to avoid a collision and at a safe distance from other vessels. 2. Keep a proper lookout. Failing to keep a sharp lookout is the most common cause of collisions. Every operator must keep a proper lookout, using both sight and hearing, at all times. Watch and listen for other vessels, radio communications, navigational hazards, and others involved in water activities. 3. Maintain a safe speed. Safe speed is the speed that ensures you will have ample time to avoid a collision and can stop within an appropriate distance. Safe speed will vary depending on conditions such as wind, water conditions, navigational hazards, visibility, surrounding vessel traffic density, and the maneuverability of your boat or PWC. Always reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution at night and when visibility is restricted. Navigation Rules Definitions ● ● ● ● Give-way vessel: The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down, or changing course. Avoid crossing in front of other vessels. Any change of course and/or speed should be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel. (A series of small changes should be avoided.) Stand-on vessel: The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. If you must take action, do not turn toward the give-way vessel or cross in front of it. How are the two vessels propelled? ○ Two power-driven vessels ○ Two sailing vessels ○ A power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel How are the two vessels approaching one another? ○ Meeting head-on: A vessel operator sees another vessel ahead or nearly ahead ○ Paths that cross: Two vessels are on crossing paths so as to involve risk of collision ○ Overtaking: A vessel is coming upon another vessel from behind or nearly behind the other vessel Exception to Navigation Rules The rules that follow cover most of the situations you will encounter as a recreational boater. However, be aware that there are exceptions to the rules. For example, if you approach a vessel that has less maneuverability than your vessel, the other vessel will usually be the stand-on vessel. Rule for encountering other vessels ● ● ● ● ● ● Vessel: Every kind of watercraft capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, including seaplanes Power-driven vessel: Any vessel propelled by machinery, including a sailboat using an engine Sailing vessel: Any vessel under sail and with no engine in use Vessel engaged in fishing: Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing equipment that restricts maneuverability; however, this does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing equipment that does not restrict maneuverability Underway: Not anchored, tied to shore, or aground Risk of collision: Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a collision course (the bearing of the approaching vessel does not change), or anytime you are approaching a very large vessel Power-Driven Vessel Encountering Power-Driven Vessel Meeting Head-On: Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should turn to starboard (the right). Paths That Cross: The vessel on the operator’s port (left) is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator’s starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel. Overtaking: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel. Power-Driven Vessel Encountering Sailing Vessel Meeting Head-On: The power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel. Paths That Cross: The power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel. Overtaking: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel, regardless of whether it is a sailing vessel or a power-driven vessel. The vessel being overtaken is always the stand-on vessel. Sailing Vessel Encountering Sailing Vessel Wind on Same Side: When two sailing vessels are approaching one another with the wind on the same side, the leeward sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel. Wind on Different Sides: When two sailing vessels are approaching one another with the wind on different sides, the sailing vessel with the wind on its starboard (right) side is the stand-on vessel. PWC Encountering PWC ● The operator and passengers ride on top of the PWC instead of down inside it. There are no hulls or other enclosures to provide protection from the impact of a collision. ● Due to the lack of protection, PWC collisions are more likely to be deadly for the operator and any passengers. Meeting Head-On: Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should turn to starboard (the right). Paths That Cross: The vessel on the operator’s port (left) side is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator’s starboard (right) side is the stand-on vessel. Overtaking: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel. Responsibilities Between Vessels If operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to: ● Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel ● Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing, laying cable, or picking up navigation markers, or a vessel constrained by its draft, such as a large ship in a channel ● A vessel engaged in commercial fishing ● A sailing vessel, unless it is overtaking If operating a sailing vessel, you must give way to: ● Any vessel not under command ● Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver ● A vessel engaged in commercial fishing Operating During Restricted Visibility All operators should navigate with extreme caution if visibility is restricted. The following applies to vessels not in sight of one another. ● ● Every vessel must proceed at a safe speed given the conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel must have its engines ready to maneuver immediately. Unless a risk of collision does not exist, an operator who hears the fog signal of another vessel ahead, is in a close-quarters situation with another vessel ahead, or detects the presence of another vessel by radar must reduce speed to the minimum at which the vessel can be kept on course. If necessary, the operator should reduce speed to “idle speed.” Additional Information About Navigation Rules The navigation rules contained in this course summarize the basic navigation responsibilities for a boat operator on inland waterways. Additional and more in-depth rules apply to various types of waterways, such as International Waters and Western Rivers, and to operation regarding commercial vessels and other watercraft. It is the responsibility of an operator to know and follow all the navigation rules.
