1&2 Introduction
Educational Objectives
3 The Boat
Terminology
Boat Types
Measuring Length
Hull designs
Types of hulls
Propulsion
Carbon Monoxide
Capacity Plate
Engine Systems
Checklist
Review Quiz - 3
4 Legal Requirements
Who May Operate
Registration and Numbering
Hull ID Number
Required Equipment
Personal Flotation Devices
Navigation Lights
Fire Extinguishers
Ventilation
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Sound Producing Device
Visual Distress Signals
Pollution Regulations
MSDs
No Discharge Zones
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Recommended Equipment
Review Quiz- 4
5 Preparation
Vessel Check List
Trailering
Environmental Conditions
Leeway
Tide and Current
Local Hazards
Float Plan
Preventive Maintenance
Fueling
Review Quiz-5
6 Operations
Operator responsibility
Homeland Security
BUI
Navigation Rules
Definitions
Proper Lookout
Seamanship
Sound Signals
Rules of the Road
Meeting & Crossing
Commercial Vessels
Restricted Visibility
Aids to Navigation
Review Quiz-6
7 Getting Underway
Line Handling
Docking/Undocking
Maneuvering Underway
Anchoring
Water Sports
Hunting and Fishing
Swimming
Diving and Snorkling
Paddle Sports
Skiing and Towing
Personal Watercraft
Review Quiz-7
8 Accidents
Fatal Vs Non-fatal
Accident Reports
Crew Overboard
Assistance from Shore
Hypothermia
Fires on Board
First Aid
Rendering Assistance
Running Aground
Review Quiz-8
9 Special Items
Vessel Repairs
Locks
Dams
Security
Sailing
Review Quiz-9
State Requirements
Final Exam

Chapter VI - OperationsSection 2b - Navigation Rules

More Rules of the Road

There are two sets of navigation rules; inland and international. A nautical chart will show you the demarcation lines where the rules change from international to inland and vice versa. In general, these demarcation lines follow the coastline and cross inlets and bays. On the seaward side of the demarcation lines international rules apply. We will concentrate on the inland rules, since most of your recreational boating will occur on the landward side of the demarcation lines.

The Nav Rules are written with the understanding that not all boats can maneuver with the same ease. Therefore, Rule 18 states that certain vessels must keep out of the way of other vessels due to their ability to maneuver.

A power driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of the following:

• A sailing vessel, under sail only, and vessels propelled by oars or paddles. (Note: when a sailboat has its motor running, it is considered a power driven vessel).
• A vessel engaged in fishing, whose fishing equipment restricts its maneuverability. This does not include a sport fisher or party boat and generally means a commercial fishing vessel.
• A vessel with restricted maneuverability such as a dredge or tow boat, a boat engaged in work that restricts it to a certain area, or a vessel transferring supplies to another vessel.
• A vessel not under command – broken down.

Each of these vessels must keep out of the way of the next vessel in the hierarchy. For example, a sailboat must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which in turn must keep out of the way of a vessel with restricted maneuverability. And everyone must keep out of the way of a vessel not under command.

When two power driven vessels are in sight of one another and the possibility of collision exists, one vessel is designated by the rules as the stand-on vessel and the other is designated as the give-way vessel. The stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed. The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid collision. If it becomes apparent that the actions taken (or not taken) by the give-way vessel are dangerous or insufficient, the stand-on vessel must act to avoid collision.

Click on graphic to replay

So, how do you know a risk of collision exists? An example: your boat and another vessel are on a course with a constant bearing but a decreasing range. You are both heading to the same point at the same speed. The risk of collision exists if neither of you alter course and/or speed.

Meeting Situations

In the following situations, the give-way vessel must take action to keep well clear. The stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed. If it becomes apparent that the actions taken (or not taken) by the give-way vessel are dangerous or insufficient, you should take action to avoid collision.

Meeting Head-On

When two power driven vessels are approaching head-on or nearly so, either vessel shall indicate its intent which the other vessel shall answer promptly. In a meeting situation neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

It is generally accepted that you should alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port. The accompanying sound signal is one short blast. If you cannot pass port-to-port due to an obstruction or other vessels, you should sound two short blasts to indicate your intention to pass starboard-to-starboard. Make sure the other vessel understands your intent before proceeding. The other vessel should return your two-short-blast signal.

Passing Port to Port

Passing Starboard to Starboard

Meeting Head to Head

* Response not sounded on International Waters

Overtaking

When two vessels are moving in the same direction, and the astern vessel wishes to pass, it must initiate the signal to pass as shown in the diagram. The vessel passing is the give-way vessel and should keep out of the way of the vessel being passed. The vessel being passed is the stand-on vessel and must maintain its course and speed. If the stand-on vessel realizes that the course intended by the give-way vessel is not safe, it should sound the danger or doubt signal.

A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when the vessel is approaching the vessel ahead in a direction of 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. At night you would only be able to see the stern light of the vessel being overtaken. You would not be able to see either sidelight.

Inland Rules "I intend to pass you on your port side" 2 short blasts (1 sec.) "Agreement" 2 short blasts (1 sec.) International Rules: "I intend to pass you on your port side" 2 prolonged blasts/2 short "Agreement" 1 prolonged/1 short/1 prolonged/1 short

Inland Rules "I intend to pass you on your starboard side" 1 short blast (1 sec.) "Agreement" 1 short blast (1 sec.) International Rules: "I intend to pass you on your starboard side" 2 prolonged blasts/1 short "Agreement" 1 prolonged/1 short/1 prolonged/1 short

If you are the overtaking vessel, remember that you are the give-way vessel until well past, and safely clear of, the passed vessel. Do not cut in front, impede or endanger another vessel.

Crossing

When two power driven vessels are approaching at right angles or nearly so, and risk of collision exists, the vessel on the right is the stand-on vessel and must hold its course and speed. The other vessel, the give-way vessel, shall maneuver to keep clear of the stand-on vessel and shall pass it by its stern. If necessary, slow or stop or reverse until the stand-on vessel is clear.

In the example above, the red vessel is the give-way vessel and should alter course and speed to pass behind the blue vessel. If the skipper of the blue vessel does not observe the red vessel taking action to avoid collision, then he/she must take the required action to avoid a collision.

Sailing Craft and vessels propelled by oars or paddles

Sailing craft (not under power) and boats propelled by oars or paddles are stand-on vessels when approaching power driven vessels. In this situation, the power-driven vessel should alter course to pass behind the sailing vessel.

An exception to this is if the sailing craft or self-propelled vessel is passing a power driven vessel. In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel, even if it is not propelled by an engine.

Sailing vessels have special situations when meeting and crossing each other. These are described in Chapter 9, Section 5, Sailing.

Navigating Narrow Channels

The rules tell you to stay to the starboard side of narrow channels. Make sure that you do not impede a vessel that is constrained by draft, i.e. a large vessel that must operate within the channel in order to make way safely. When crossing a channel, do so at a right angle and in such a way as to avoid causing the traffic in the channel to make course or speed changes. Do not anchor in a channel unless you cannot make way (broken down, etc.).

When operating on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers and other designated rivers, the downbound vessel (going with the current) has the right of way over a vessel going upstream. This is because a vessel going upstream can maneuver better than a vessel going downstream.

If you approach a bend in a river around which you cannot see, sound one prolonged blast to alert vessels approaching from the other side of the bend that you are there. If another vessel is around the bend, it should answer with one prolonged blast. Conversely, if you hear a prolonged blast as you approach the bend, answer with a prolonged blast.

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