Regal LS4C, Owner'S Manual

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9. A vessel restricted in its maneuverability; these
vessels usually are performing work which
limits their maneuverability. Examples are boats
surveying, dredging, laying pipe or cable, or
servicing navigational markers.
10. A vessel engaged in fishing; these include
boats fishing with lines, trawls or nets, but not
trolling lines.
11. Sailboats; they have the right-of-way over
powerboats. However, if a sailboat is using
a prop to move forward, it is considered a
powerboat even if the sails are up.
12. Remember the unwritten “rule of tonnage”.
Basically a smaller tonnage vessel should
take every effort to avoid close quarters with a
larger tonnage vessel. One way to accomplish
this is to have a designated human lookout
to “eyeball” the horizon for any developing
collision course.
13. Use defensive driving skills on the waterway
just as you do on the roadway. The other
vessel may not know the rules of the road. Be
alert and ready to take immediate action.
14. If a collision course is unavoidable neither boat
has the right of way. Both boats must react to
avoid an accident according to the rules of the
road.
Lookouts:
International and Inland navigation rules spell out
the specifics of establishing a lookout. A lookout is
legally defined by the court system as a person who
has specifically charged duties on board such as
observing sounds, echoes, lights and any inhibitors
to navigation with complete thoroughness as
permitted by the circumstances.
The term “specifically charged” means that the
lookout has no other duties at that time that could
prevent him from keeping a proper watch.
Of course the skipper must delegate the lookout
duties to a seasoned crew member who can react
to events quickly and communicate effectively with
the captain with little notice.
As captain of your vessel you are responsible for
the vessel and the crew. Choose an experienced
individual as lookout and review the navigation
rules with this person so he can make the right call
quickly as situations develop.
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