Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you
are the give-way vessel. This means that
the other vessel is expected to maintain
its course and speed. You must stay out of
its way as you clear it, altering course and
speed as necessary.
Conversely, if you are being passed by
another vessel, you are the stand-on ves-
sel, and you should maintain your speed
and direction so that the vessel can be
steered around you.
Other Special Situations
There are additional rules to remember when operating your
boat around other vessels, such as:
• When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the
right when it is safe and practical to do so.
• When preparing to go around a bend that may obstruct your
view of other water vessels, you should sound a prolonged blast
on the horn or with a whistle for four (4) to six (6) seconds. Even
if no reply is heard, you should still proceed around the bend
with caution.
Sailing Vessel Right-of-Way
Sailing vessels should normally be given the right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
• When the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel, the power-driven vessel has the right-of-way.
• Sailing vessels should keep clear of any shing vessel.
• In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel should not hamper the safe passage of a power-driven vessel that can navigate
only in such a channel.
Fishing Vessel Right-of-Way
Under international rules, all vessels that are shing with nets, lines or trawls are considered to be shing vessels;
however, boats with trolling lines are not considered shing vessels.
Fishing vessels have the right of way, regardless of position, but these vessels cannot impede the passage of other
vessels in narrow channels.
The General Prudential Rule
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International Rules and says, “In obeying and
construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and
collision, and to any special circumstances, which may render a departure from
the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.”
Reading Buoys and Other Markings
The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation by the lat-
eral system of buoyage. The markers and buoys you encounter will have an ar-
rangement of shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side of the buoy
a boater should pass when navigating in a particular direction.
The markings on these buoys are oriented from the perspective of being
entered from a seaward direction while the boater is going toward the port. Red
buoys are passed on the starboard (right) side when proceeding from open water
into port, and green buoys are passed on the port (left) side. When navigating out
of port, your position to the buoys should be reversed: red buoys to port (left) and
green buoys to starboard (right).
Many bodies of water are entirely within the boundaries of a single state. The
Uniform State Waterway Marking Systems have been devised for these waters.
This system uses buoys and signs with distinctive shapes and colors to show regula-
tory or advisory information. These markers are white with black letters and orange
borders. The information signies speed zones, restricted areas, danger areas and
general information.
Remember: Markings may vary by geographic location. Always consult ap-
propriate boating authorities before boating in unfamiliar waters.
MasterCraft 2012 Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge • Page 1-15
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