Rules of the Open Water
2007 MasterCraft Owners Manual - Page 3-1
Just as there are rules that apply when driving a vehicle on the street, there are waterway rules that apply when
you are driving a boat. These rules are used internationally, and they are enforced by the United States Coast Guard
and local agencies. You should be aware of these rules and follow them whenever you encounter another vessel on the
water.
In various geographic locations certain rules prevail that may be unique to the locale, but all are basically the
same as the International Rules of the Road.
The rules presented in this manual are condensed and have been provided as a conve-
nience only.
Consult your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or De-
partment of Natural Resources (DNR) for a complete set of rules governing the waters in which you will be using your
boat. If you plan to travel—even for a short trip—you would be well-served to contact the regional USCGA, DMV or
DNR in the area where you will be boating.
Steering and Sailing Rules/Sound Signals
Any time two vessels on the water meet one another, one vessel has the right-of-way. It is called the
stand-on
vessel.
The vessel that does not have the right-of-way is called the
give-way
or
burdened vessel.
These rules determine which vessel has the right of way, and accordingly, what each vessel should do.
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty to continue its course and speed, except to avoid an immediate
collision. When you maintain your direction and speed, the other vessel will be able to determine how best to avoid
you.
The vessel that does not have the right-of-way has the duty to take positive and timely action to stay out of the
way of the stand-on vessel. Normally, the give-way vessel should not cross in front of the stand-on vessel. Slow down
or change direction briefl y and pass behind the other vessel. You should always move in such a way that the stand-on
operator can see what you are doing.
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 depar-
ture from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.”
Rules When Encountering Vessels
There are three main situations in which you may encounter other vessels and you must avoid
a collision. These are:
•
Meeting
(you are approaching another vessel head-on).
•
Crossing
(you are traveling across the other vessel’s path).
•
Overtaking
(you are passing or being passed by another vessel).
Using the adjacent image in which you are the boat in the center, you should give right-of-way to all
vessels showing in the white area. In this instance, you are the give-way vessel. Both you and the meeting vessel
must alter course to avoid each other.
Meeting
If you are meeting another power vessel head-on, and you are close enough to run the risk
of collision, neither 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 buy continuing your set course and speed.
Crossing
When two power-driven vessels are crossing each other’s path close enough to run the risk
of collision, the vessel that views the crossing vessel to the starboard (right) side must give-way.
If the other vessel is to the port (left) side, maintain your course and direction, provided the
other vessel gives you the right-of-way as it should.
Summary of Contents for 2007 MariStar
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