The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They
establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions
when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.
Every vessel n sight of another and required to give way to another vessel shall
, so far as posssible, take early and substantial action to give way. When one of two vessels is required to give way, the other vessel (the stand-on vessel) shall maintain its course and speed.
“
Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed
.” (Rule 17 — Action by Stand-On Vessel.) … (Rule 2 — Responsibility and Rule 17 — Action by Stand-On Vessel.)
President Gerald R. Ford proclaimed
72 COLREGS
and the Congress adopted them as the International Navigational Rules Act of 1977. The 72 COLREGS were developed by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) which in May 1982 was renamed the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Both International and Inland Rules state that when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side (the give-way vessel)
must keep out of the way
. As the give-way vessel it is your duty to avoid a collision.
The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway.
They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions
when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.
Navigation rules are those that regulate the way boats are to navigate the water. They are much like the rules of the road for cars. Their main objective is
to establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions and accidents
.
Why do boats pass on the right?
Most sailors were right handed
, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern . Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became “starboard” by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning “steer”) and bord (meaning “the side of a boat”).
Who has right of way at sea?
A
power driven vessel must
give way to a sailing vessel unless the sailing vessel is in the process of overtaking it. When two power driven vessels meet head on, each must alter course to starboard (to the right) and pass at a safe distance.
Who has right of way kayak or boat?
4.
A Vessel Under Sail or Not Under Power
.
A vessel under sail as well as other watercraft that are not powered
, — such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. — have the right of way over powered-vessels.
In complying with the navigation rules,
operators must consider all dangers of navigation; risk of collisions
; and any special conditions, including the limitations of the boats involved. These considerations may make a departure from the navigation rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
How many rules are in Colreg?
The COLREGs include
41 rules
divided into six sections: Part A – General; Part B – Steering and Sailing; Part C – Lights and Shapes; Part D – Sound and Light signals; Part E – Exemptions; and Part F – Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention.
When boating Which side do you pass on?
You should pass at a safe distance to the port (left) or
starboard (right) side
of the other boat. If a safe route exists, you should always attempt to pass the boat on the starboard side.
Inside the lines
, the INLAND navigation rules apply, outside the lines, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) rules apply. Knowing the difference is very important for determining whether a vessel is in violation of a navigation rule.
What does a yellow buoy mark?
For those who are paddling or boating on intercoastal waterways, yellow buoys are used to designate
a channel
. When someone sees a yellow square, this is a sign that they need to keep the buoy to the port side. On the other hand, yellow triangles should stay to the starboard side of the boater.
What is the difference between making way and underway?
What is the difference between a vessel “underway” and a vessel “making way” ? A vessel “underway” is a vessel that is not attached to any fixed object such as the shore, the bottom or at anchor. A vessel “making way” is a vessel that floats on the water without any attachement to a fixed object or the bottom.
