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 fishing with nets, lines or trawls are
considered to be fishing vessels; however, boats with trolling lines are not considered
fishing 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 lateral
system of buoyage. The markers 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.
The Uniform State Waterway Marker System has been devised for these waters.
This system uses buoys and signs with distinctive shapes and colors to show regulatory
or advisory information. 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).
2013 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge • Page 1-29
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