Practicing the art of good seamanship is a talent that is developed over time by acquiring knowledge and skills. You must keep safety foremost in your mind when operating your boat. Do what you can to stay out of the way of other boats and always proceed at a safe speed.
The Rules of the Road provide consequences for any vessel owner, operator or crew who neglect to comply with the Rules. It is your responsibility to act in a reasonable and prudent manner consistent with the ordinary practices of recreational boating. Safe speed means taking into consideration the current operating conditions and your own level of skill and experience.
To determine safe speed consider all of the following factors:
Most specific speed regulations are local ordinances or state laws. Many states have speed and distance regulations that determine how close you can operate to other vessels, the shoreline or docking area, and swimming areas. For example, some state regulations require that you maintain a no-wake speed when within 250 feet of shore or when within 100 feet of another vessel. Be sure to check with state and local authorities to determine what regulations apply to you.
Every means available shall be used to determine if risk of collision exists. This could be information from your lookout, radar, or other means. If there is any doubt as to the risk of collision you should act as if it does exist and take appropriate action.
In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken into account:
There are two sets of navigation rules; inland and international. A nautical chart will show you the demarcation lines where the rules change from international to inland and vice versa. In general, these demarcation lines follow the coastline and cross inlets and bays. On the seaward side of the demarcation lines international rules apply. We will concentrate on the inland rules, since most of your recreational boating will occur on the landward side of the demarcation lines.
The navigation rules are written with the premise that not all boats can maneuver with the same ease. A power boat will have less trouble maneuvering than a sailboat, so power driven boats must stay away from the following other vessels on the water:
Each of these vessels must keep out of the way of the next vessel in the hierarchy. For example, a sailboat must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which in turn must keep out of the way of a vessel with restricted maneuverability. And everyone must keep out of the way of a vessel not under command.
When two power driven vessels are in sight of one another and the possibility of collision exists, one vessel is designated by the rules as the stand-on vessel and the other is designated as the give-way vessel.
The stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed. The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid collision. If it becomes apparent that the actions taken (or not taken) by the give-way vessel are dangerous or insufficient, the stand-on vessel must act to avoid collision.
The give-way vessel must take action to keep well clear. The stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed. If it becomes apparent that the actions taken (or not taken) by the give-way vessel are dangerous or insufficient, you should take action to avoid collision.
When two power driven vessels are approaching head-on or nearly so, either vessel shall indicate its intent which the other vessel shall answer promptly. In a meeting situation neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
It is generally accepted that you should alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port. The accompanying sound signal is one short blast. If you cannot pass port-to-port due to an obstruction or other vessels, you should sound two short blasts to indicate your intention to pass starboard-to-starboard. Make sure the other vessel understands your intent before proceeding. The other vessel should return your two-short-blast signal.
When two vessels are moving in the same direction, and the astern vessel wishes to pass, it must initiate the signal to pass as shown in the diagram. The vessel passing is the give-way vessel and should keep out of the way of the vessel being passed. The vessel being passed is the stand-on vessel and must maintain its course and speed. If the stand-on vessel realizes that the course intended by the give-way vessel is not safe, it should sound the danger or doubt signal.
A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when the vessel is approaching the vessel ahead in a direction of 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. At night you would only be able to see the stern light of the vessel being overtaken. You would not be able to see either sidelight.
The sound you need to make on inland waters is two short blasts for passing on the port side and one short blast for passing on the starboard side. The boat that is being passed should respond the same way in agreement to indicate understanding.
When two power driven vessels are approaching at right angles or nearly so, and risk of collision exists, the vessel on the right is the stand-on vessel and must hold its course and speed. The other vessel, the give-way vessel, shall maneuver to keep clear of the stand-on vessel and shall pass it by its stern. If necessary, slow or stop or reverse until the stand-on vessel is clear.
Sailing craft (not under power) and boats propelled by oars or paddles are stand-on vessels when approaching power driven vessels. In this situation, the power-driven vessel should alter course to pass behind the sailing vessel. An exception to this is if the sailing craft or self-propelled vessel is passing a power driven vessel. In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel, even if it is not propelled by an engine.
The rules tell you to stay to the starboard side of narrow channels. Make sure that you do not impede a vessel that is constrained by draft, i.e. a large vessel that must operate within the channel in order to make way safely. When crossing a channel, do so at a right angle and in such a way as to avoid causing the traffic in the channel to make course or speed changes. Do not anchor in a channel unless you cannot make way (broken down, etc.).
When operating on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers and other designated rivers, the down bound vessel (going with the current) has the right of way over a vessel going upstream. This is because a vessel going upstream can maneuver better than a vessel going downstream.
If you approach a bend in a river around which you cannot see, sound one prolonged blast to alert vessels approaching from the other side of the bend that you are there. If another vessel is around the bend, it should answer with one prolonged blast. Conversely, if you hear a prolonged blast as you approach the bend, answer with a prolonged blast.
When operating a power boat, take action to avoid anyone being pulled behind the boat. Stay far away from the craft and give them the courtesy of allowing their enjoyment to continue.
Pay close attention to “no wake” signs and areas that have been made off limits to boats. There’s a reason those signs are there. It’s not cool to just ignore them because you want to. Be courteous always.
When you stop for fuel, keep in mind that other boats may be waiting to get to the fuel dock. Do not leave your boat to pick up groceries or hang out in the bait shop. Tie up securely, follow proper fueling procedures, pay the bill and move away to another docking area or guest slip if you need to do other business ashore.
Make sure to keep the area around your slip clear. Roll up and stow hoses, place power cords in such a manner as to not trip a passerby who is looking up at your new radar reflector. Keep buckets, mops, tackle, docking lines and other items stowed in their proper place, not strewn around on the dock. When finished with carts or other equipment at the marina intended for common use, be sure to put it back where it belongs so others have access.
When you are getting ready to launch your boat, have the boat completely ready and seaworthy prior to getting in line at the boat ramp. If you wait until just before launch, you’ll make fellow boaters have to wait and they’re probably just as anxious as you are!
Have someone with you who can get into the boat and start it for you while you are pulling your truck away from the ramp. That way, you don’t leave the boat floating which will make other people wait in line too.
You should always tie-off in the waiting area when you are ready to take the boat out of the water. Don’t leave your boat in the ramp area and then run off to get your vehicle and don’t get your gear together while you are in the ramp area.
One very big rule is to never drive right up to the ramp area when there are other boaters tied up and waiting their turn. Those who know the rules of the water will see this as an incredibly arrogant move and it’s sure to cause a disturbance!
Carry your own anchors, fenders, mooring lines, PFDs, etc. Do not expect others to supply these for you.
You are responsible for your wake and the damage that it creates, so respect other boaters and stay clear of them while you are underway.
Do not moor from bank to bank across creek openings or in front of water falls so as to block access to them.
VHF radios are not cellular telephones so make your communications short and if you have nothing to say of any value, just keep it to yourself.
If you are on the lake before sunrise or after sunset, turn on your lights. Not only is it the law, it's a common sense thing.
If you bring it with you when you come, take it home when you leave. Believe it or not, it is still littering even if you sink it, hide it in a stump, under a rock or bury it in the ground.
Following another boat is as about as safe as looking down a cocked cannon, boats don't have break lights so do not follow closer than 300'
Learn boating laws before you come to the lake and respect them when you are boating. They are for your safety as well as others.
If you see anyone having trouble, offer help to them.
By following some of these very simple rules, you’ll be insured a day of fun and safety on your boat! Speaking of safety, this is probably the most important part of boat ownership. You will want to stay safe for your well-being as well as that of those around you.
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