2-22
343 Owner’s Manual
Section 2
Performance Yacht
Overtaking
The boat that is overtaking one ahead of it is the
burdened boat and must make any adjustments
necessary to keep out of the way of the privileged
boat. The privileged boat should hold its course
and speed.
Special Situations
Boats operating between sunset and sunrise
(hours vary by state) must use navigational lights,
nighttime operation, especially during bad weather
or fog can be dangerous. All “Rules of the Road”
apply at night; it is best to slow down and stay clear
of all boats, regardless of who has right-of-way.
Protect your night vision by avoiding bright lights
and have a passenger, if possible, help keep watch
for other boats, water hazards, and aids to
navigation.
The size, speed, and direction of the other vessels
are determined at night from the running lights. A
green light indicates the starboard side of the boat,
and a red light indicates the port side. Generally, if
you see a green light, you have the right-of-way; if
you see a red light, give-way to that vessel.
Navigational Aids
Learn to recognize the different buoys and day
markers; they are the signposts of the waterways.
There are two primary marking systems in use in
the U.S.; the Uniform State Waterway Marking
System (USWMS) used on inland waters and
maintained by each state, and the Federal
Waterway Marking System (FWMS) used on
coastal waters and rivers and maintained by the
USCG. In addition, the FWMS has two modified
systems; the Western River Buoyage, and the
Intercoastal Waterway Buoyage. Be sure to check
with local authorities on the buoyage system in use.
The only buoys you are permitted to moor to are
mooring buoys. Mooring to a navigation buoy or
other navigational aid or regulatory marker is illegal.
The type of hazard/warning buoys and markers
depends on the area of jurisdiction. Check with
local boating authorities.
The USWMS Cardinal System is used when there
is no well-defined channel or where an obstruction
may be approached from more than one direction.
With the cardinal system:
• Pass north or east of BLACK-TOPPED WHITE
buoy.
• Pass south or west of RED-TOPPED WHITE
buoy.
• RED and WHITE VERTICALLY STRIPED
buoy indicates boat should pass outside of the
buoy (away from shore).
COB_0035_A
STAND-ON
(PRIVILEGED)
VESSEL BEING
OVERTAKEN
GIVE-WAY
(BURDENED)
VESSEL
OVERTAKING
HONK
(LONG)
HONK
(LONG)
MOORING
BUOY
MAY SHOW WHITE
REFLECTOR OR LIGHT
KC-0412C
COB_343_OM_forWeb.book Page 22 Monday, June 12, 2006 10:20 AM