Rules of the Road
Out on the water, who has the right-of-way? In general, sailboats and boats that are paddled or rowed have the right-of-way over motorboats. And in big water, small pleasure craft must yield to large commercial boats. Always stay clear of the vessel with the right-of-way, and pass to its stern.
 In crossing situations, the boat to the right from the 12 o'clock to the 4 o'clock position has the right-of-way. It must hold course and speed. The other boat must make whatever adjustments to course and speed necessary to pass behind the boat with the right-of-way. On a river, boats going up and down the river have the right-of-way over boats crossing the river.
When two boats meet head-on, neither boat has the right-of-way. Both boats should decrease speed and pass port-to-port.
In some situations, it may be preferable to pass starboard-to-starboard, and in this case, both boats should sound two short horn blasts.
If you choose to pass a slower boat, you must make any adjustment necessary to keep out of the way of the boat ahead of you.
Know the Weather
Never leave the dock without checking your local weather forecast. And because severe weather can develop rapidly, continually keep an eye out for changes. Things to watch out for include rapidly approaching clouds, a sudden drop in temperature and a sudden change in wind direction or speed. If you're caught in severe weather, the U.S. Coast Guard recommends:
- Turning on your running lights
- Heading for the nearest spot on the shore that's safe to approach
- Steering the bow into rough waves at a 45° angle
- Keep the bilge free of water
Page 3 Water Safety Continued |
