2023 OWNER’S MANUAL
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GENERAL PRUDENTIAL RULE
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International Rules and says,
“In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had
to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special
circumstances, which may render a departure from the above
rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.”
RULES WHEN
ENCOUNTERING VESSELS
There are three (3) main situations in which you may encounter
other vessels, and you must avoid a collision. These are:
• Meeting (you are approaching another vessel head-on).
• Crossing (you are traveling across the other vessel’s path).
• Overtaking (you are passing or being passed by another vessel).
STEERING AND SAILING RULES/
SOUND SIGNALS
Any time two (2) vessels on the water meet one another, one
vessel has the right-of-way. It is called the stand-on vessel. The
vessel that does not have the right-of-way is called the give-way or
burdened vessel.
These rules determine which vessel has the right of way, and
accordingly, what each vessel should do.
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty to continue its
course and speed, except to avoid an immediate collision. When
you maintain your direction and speed, the other vessel will be able
to determine how best to avoid you.
The vessel that does not have the right of way has the duty to take
positive and timely action to stay out of the way of the stand-on
vessel. Normally, the give-way vessel should not cross in front of
the stand-on vessel, but should slow down or change direction
briefly and pass behind the other vessel. You should always move
in such a way that the stand-on operator can see what you are
doing if you are operating the give-way vessel.
RULES OF THE
OPEN WATER
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