Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 30
the
general
prudential
rule
The General Prudential Rule regarding right of way, is that if a collision
appears unavoidable, neither boat has right of way. As prescribed in the “Rules
of the Road,” both boats must act to avoid collision.
Rule 2 in the International Rules says, “In construing and complying with
these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision
and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels
involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid
immediate danger.”
When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the right when it is
safe and practical to do so. If the operator of a power-driven vessel is preparing
to go around a bend that may obstruct the view of other water vessels, the
operator should sound a prolonged blast on the whistle or horn—four to six
seconds.
If another vessel is around the bend, it too should sound the whistle or horn.
Even if no reply is heard, however, the vessel should still proceed around the bend
with caution.
If you navigate these type of waters, you should carry a portable air horn,
which are available from local marine supply stores.
Learn to recognize the dierent buoys and day markers; they are the signposts
of the waterways. The United States Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) is the
primary marking system used on inland water, coastal waters and rivers in the
United States. This system is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
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
modied systems: the Western River Buoyage, and the Intracoastal Waterway
Buoyage. Be sure to check with local authorities on the buoyage system in use in
your boating region.
The type of hazard/warning buoys and markers depends on the area of
jurisdiction. Check with local boating authorities.
USWMS System
In the USWMS Lateral System, well-dened channels are marked with red and black buoys,
and the boat should pass between them.
The USWMS Cardinal System is used when there is no well-dened 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).
other
rules
of the
road
aids
to
navigation
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