"Right Of Way" "Give Way or Stand ON" Vessel
18. Responsibilities Between Vessels Except in narrow channels, traffic schemes, and when overtaking (i.e. rules 9, 10, and 13)
- A power-driven vessel must give way to:
- a vessel not under command;
- a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver;
- a vessel engaged in fishing
- a sailing vessel.
- A sailing vessel must give way to:
- a vessel not under command;
- a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver;
- a vessel engaged in fishing.
- A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
- a vessel not under command;
- a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
- Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.
- A vessel constrained by her draft shall navigate with particular caution having full regard to her special condition.
- A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.
f) i) A WIG craft when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall keep well clear of all other vesselsand avoid impeding their navigation
Below are NOT Colregs, but a sailing magazine writers common sense general rule of boat traffic safety. The Wikipedia link above seems to list the official Colregs well.
1. Big Boats Always Have The Right-Of-Way. It doesn't matter who really has the right-of-way here, because you'll always lose if you try to sneak in front of a tanker or a tug pushing a barge. Your engine can die suddenly or you can misjudge their speed (it's easy to do); if so, the only winners will be your heirs and some lawyers. Remember the four most dangerous words in yachting: "We can make it." Under Caswell's Rules, if you ever look at a ship and say those words, you must be slapped silly by your crew—just like Capt. Queeg in The Caine Mutiny.
2. Always Assume They Don't See You. Whether it's a 16-footer or a tugboat, you'll never get in trouble if you always assume that the other skipper either doesn't see you or is too stupid to know that you have the right-of-way. Defensive driving works just as well on the water as it does on land. As they say, you can be dead right just as easily as dead wrong.
3. Make Your Course Changes Early And Substantial. It's hard to judge angles and distances on the water so, if you are planning to keep clear of another boat, change your course enough so it is readily apparent to the other boat—and do it early enough so they know what you are doing. Too many accidents happen when boats delay their actions too late, and then get trapped in an "after you, Alphonse" series of back-and-forth course changes that end up with a collision.
4. When In Doubt, Slow Down. This gives you time to think, as well as time for everyone involved to act intelligently and to avoid any problems. Remember that even at 10 knots, you're moving at almost 17 feet a second.
5. Boats On Your Right Are Right. Why do you think they call it "right"-of-way, after all? Technically, your "danger zone" is from directly ahead to 112.5 degrees on the starboard side. But don't push your rights with that 80 mph sportboat approaching from 113 degrees on the starboard side. He may be too busy nuzzling his honey's neck to see you. Keep Right. When two boats meet head-on or nearly so, each should turn to starboard, just as you would on a one-lane road in your car.
7. Overtakers Stay Clear. When two boats are moving in the same direction, the passing boat must keep clear. If you're on a waterway like the Intracoastal, it's also nice for both boats to slow down a bit so the wakes don't spill the drinks.
8. Know The Flow. On inland waters, know which way the current is moving, because it affects the right-of-way. Boats going downstream have the right-of-way over those that are upbound, and boats going across a river must stay clear of those going up or down. Don't worry about the reasoning: Just do it.
9. Remember To Honk. Unlike driving in your car, honking your horn is used to signal your intentions to other boats. One blast means starboard and two blasts is port. If the other boat agrees, they sound a similar signal. If they don't, they'll sound the danger signal of five or more honks. Slow down or stop until you both figure out what you're doing.
10. Don't Fight For Rights. There are literally hundreds of pages of rules covering vessels not under command, vessels unable to maneuver, seaplanes, rowboats and even anchored boats. Wouldn't you feel kind of dumb running into an anchored boat thinking you had the right-of-way? The COLREGS and Inland Rules can be complex and confusing to beginners and old salts alike. The essential point is to avoid collisions, which, as we all know, can ruin your whole day, so there is one last Caswell rule.
11. Play Nice. This covers just about every other situation you might encounter. Leave "road rage" on shore and don't use the Rules of the Road like a hammer to force other people out of your way. Stay away from situations that can lead to problems, give way even when you don't have to, and remember to play nice with the other kids. As the sergeant on the old Hill Street Blues television series always warned his officers at the end of each briefing, "Hey, let's be careful out there!"
Bill Scanlon
USCG Master 50 GT Inland Waters
Towing & Sailing Endorsements
Lic. # 1092926