RIGHT-OF-WAY
In general, boats with less maneuverability ha ve
right-of-way over more agile pow er boats. In your
power boat, you must sta y out of the w ay of the
following vessels:
• A vessel not under command or aground.
Due to their circumstances, these vessels
have no maneuverability .
• A vessel restricted in its maneuverability .
These vessels are perfor ming work which lim-
its their maneuverability such as: sur veying,
dredging, laying pipe or cable, or ser vicing
navigational markers among other s.
• A vessel engaged in fishing . These include
boats fishing with lines, tra wls or nets; but
not trolling lines.
• Sailboats. Sailboats ha ve the right-of-way over
power boats; how ever, if a sailboat is using a
propeller to mo ve forward, it is considered a
power boat e ven if its sails are up.
MEETING A VESSEL HEAD-ON
In a head-on situation, neither boat has the
right-of way. Both boats should decrease speed
and pass por t to por t
(Figure 2.15)
. However, if
both boats are on the left side of a channel,
each vessel should sound two shor t horn blasts
and pass starboard to starboard.
CROSSING SITUATIONS
In a crossing situation, the boat on the right
from the 12-4 o’clock position has the right-of-
way. It must hold cour se and speed. The boat
without right-of-way must keep clear and pass to
the ster n as shown on
Figure 2.16
.
2-12
FIGURE 2.15 MEETING HEAD-ON
PASSING
PORT TO
PORT
PASSING
STARBOARD TO
STARBOARD
MEETING
HEAD TO
HEAD
HONK
HONK
HONK
HONK
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