RULES OF THE ROAD FOR OUTBOARDING
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Keep clear of sailing craft and rowboats. Yield right of way to
slower boats.
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Always keep to the right.
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Do not use your motor near swimmers or skin divers.
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Learn the sign language of the various buoys and warning
signals. These are your nautical traffic signs, posted for your
safety and convenience.
BUOYS. . . YOUR WATERWAY SIGNPOSTS
There are three basic types of buoys:
NUN (cone shaped), SPAR (spar shaped) and
CAN (cylindrical shaped).
Buoys marked with a contrasting band of
color indicate that the channel splits. If the buoy
is a can with a red band, then the preferred
channel is to the starboard side of the buoy.
If the buoy is a nun with a green band, then
the preferred channel is to the port side of the
buoy.
Going upstream, the RIGHT (Starboard)
side of the channel is marked with even
numbered RED buoys, nuns or spars: the
LEFT (Port) side of the channel is marked with
odd numbered GREEN buoys, cans or spars.
RED and WHITE vertically striped buoys
indicate the middle of a channel. Always pass
close to these buoys.
KNOW THE SPORT DIVER FLAG. . .
...And be sure to obey the rules in the waters you travel regarding divers and maintaining a
safe distance from them.
