SAILING VESSEL RIGHT-OF-WAY
Sailing vessels should normally be given the right-of-way.
The exceptions to this are:
• When the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel,
the power-driven vessel has the right-of-way.
• Sailing vessels should keep clear of any fishing vessel.
• 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. A sailing vessel that is underway but not using sails is
considered a power vessel and should be treated like any other
power vessel when determining right of way.
FISHING VESSEL RIGHT-OF-WAY
Under international rules, all vessels that are fishing with nets, lines
or trawls are considered to be fishing vessels; however, boats with
trolling lines are not considered fishing vessels.
Fishing vessels have the right of way, regardless of position, but
these vessels cannot impede the passage of other vessels in nar-
row channels.
OTHER SPECIAL SITUATIONS
There are additional rules to remember when operating your boat
around other vessels, such as:
• When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the right
when it is safe and practical to do so.
• When preparing to go around a bend that may obstruct your view
of other water vessels, you should sound a prolonged blast on the
horn or with a whistle for four (4) to six (6) seconds. Even if no reply
is heard, you should still proceed around the bend with caution.
READING BUOYS AND
OTHER MARKERS
The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation
by the lateral system of buoyage. The markers and buoys you
encounter will have an arrangement of shapes, colors, numbers and
lights to show which side of the buoy a boater should pass when
navigating in a particular direction.
The Uniform State Waterway Marker System has been devised for
these waters. This system uses buoys and signs with distinctive
shapes and colors to show regulatory or advisory information. The
markings on these buoys are oriented from the perspective of
being entered from a seaward direction while the boater is going
2021MCOwnerManualFINAL.indd 41 8/26/20 1:51 PM
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