BASIC RULES OF THE ROAD
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Sailing Vessel Right-of-Way
Sailing vessels should normally be given the right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
1. When the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel, the power-driven vessel has the right-of-way.
2. Sailing vessels should keep clear of any fishing vessel.
3. In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel should not hamper the safe passage of a power-driven vessel that can
navigate only in such a channel.
Reading Buoys and Other Markers
The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation by the lateral system of buoyage. Simply put,
buoys and markers have an arrangement of shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side of the buoy
a boater should pass on when navigating in a particular direction. The markings on these buoys are oriented
from the perspective of being entered from seaward (the boater is going towards the harbor). Red buoys are
passed on your starboard (right) side when proceeding from open water into port, and black buoys are to your
port (left) side. An easy way to remember the meaning of the colors is the phrase “red right returning.” When
navigating out of the harbor, your position with respect to the buoys should be reversed; red buoys should be to
port and black buoys to starboard.
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