Meeting
If you are meeting another
vessel head-on, and you
are close enough to run
the risk of collision, nei-
ther of you has the right-
of-way. Both of you should
alter course to avoid an accident. You should keep the
other vessel on your port (left) side. (This rule doesn’t
apply if both of you can clear each other by continuing
your set course and speed.)
Crossing
When two (2) power-driven
vessels are crossing each
other’s path close enough to
run the risk of collision, the
vessel that views the cross-
ing vessel to the starboard
(right) side must give way.
If the other vessel is to the port (left) side, and provided
the other vessel gives you the right-of-way, maintain your
course and direction.
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 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 ob-
struct your view of other water vessels, you should
sound a prolonged blast on the horn or with a whis-
tle 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 ham-
per 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 sh-
ing vessels.
Fishing vessels have the right-of-way, regardless of po-
sition, but these vessels cannot impede the passage of
other vessels in narrow channels.
Reading Buoys and Other Markings
The waters of the United States are marked for safe
navigation by the lateral system of buoyage. The mark-
ers and buoys you encounter will have an arrangement
of shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side
of the buoy a boater should pass when navigating in a
particular direction.
2008 MasterCraft Owners Manual Page 3-2
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
