Navigation LightsRules of the Road are governed by the Collision Regulations. They spell out which vessel is the Stand-On Vessel and which vessel is the Give-Way Vessel. Show
They also explain actions to take for crossing, meeting and overtaking situations. Every pleasure boat operator who must give-way to another vessel, that means the operator who has to move, must take "early and substantial action to avoid a collision." The stand-on vessel must "maintain course and speed." Danger (Give-Way) ZoneThe green sector on your boat, that sector defined by your green sidelight, is your Danger Zone or your Give-Way Zone. This extends from the centreline on your bow (dead ahead) to 22.5º abaft the starboard beam, or 112.5º from the bow, along your starboard side. When another skipper sees your green light, he has the right of way...green for go. When you have a boat in your green sector, you must take early and substantial action to avoid collision. ExceptionsThere are several exceptions to this rule.
This generally refers to large ships or commercial vessels making way in a narrow channel where they have no room to manoeuvre. Ships may remind you of this rule by giving five short blasts of its horn. Ships may remind you of this rule by giving five short blasts of its horn.
Sound Signals & Rules For Overtaking & CrossingEvery pleasure craft of less than 12m shall carry an efficient sound signalling device. It is used in overtaking and crossing situations and in periods of reduced visibility. Overtaking: The vessel that wishes to overtake is the Give-Way Vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the Stand-On Vessel. The Stand-On Vessel maintains course and speed. The Give-Way Vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid the Stand-On Vessel. In the diagram above Vessel 1 is the overtaking or, Give-Way Vessel. It can overtake Vessel 2, on either side. They will sound the following signals:
If either vessel operator is not clear about the intentions of the other vessel operator in any situation, the operator should sound five short blasts. Meeting: Head On: In the diagram above, two vessels are meeting head-on. Since they both must take action, they will both give one short blast to indicate they will alter their course to Starboard so that they pass Port to Port. Meeting: Crossing: In the diagram above, Vessel 1 is the Give-Way Vessel as it has the vessel on the right in its green sector. The Give-Way Vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid crossing inm front of the Stand-On Vessel, Vessel 2 so it alters its course to starboard and adjusts its speed appropriately. Meeting: Powerboat and Sailboat: When a sailboat under sail alone, meets a powerboat, the sailboat is the Stand-On Vessel and the powerboat is the Give-Way Vessel. The powerboat must take early and substantial action to keep clear of the sailboat. Rules of the Road for SailboatsSailboats under sail have their own rules and rights of way over each other. The Windward Side of a sailboat is the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried. If the mainsail is over the Starboard Side of the sailboat, the Port Side is the Windward Side.
Next Chapter: 4.1 Maintenance What is the recommended safe practice for small vessels when navigating within or close to shipping lanes or where large vessels are restricted to?When operating near a shipping lane or in areas of high boat traffic, smaller craft are not easily visible to larger vessels. Always keep a lookout for larger vessels and be prepared to yield the right of way. Specifically, always steer well clear of vessels in tow, docked ferries, or ferries in transit.
Do ships have to stay in shipping lanes?Large commercial vessels need to stay within the traffic lane and cannot easily maneuver around another vessel that may be in front of them. As a rule of thumb, pleasure boaters should get out of their way; it's always best to cross behind a commercial vessel in a shipping lane rather than in front of them.
What should the operator of Powerboat a do?Port (Left) Approach
If a power-driven boat (B) is approaching from your port (left) sector, you are the stand-on craft (A) and have the right-of-way. You should maintain your speed and direction and be ready to take evasive action.
Do nautical charts show shipping lanes?Shipping lanes are identified on nautical charts. Commercial ships have limited views from the bridge and require long distances to come to a full stop—often ¾ to 1½ miles. Recreational vessel operators in shipping lanes need to watch for large ships and keep the following in mind.
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