• Sailboats; they have the right-of-way over power boats. However, if a
sailboat is using a prop to move forward, it is considered a powerboat
even if the sails are up.
• Remember the unwritten “rule of tonnage”. Basically a smaller
tonnage vessel should take every e ort to avoid close quarters with
a larger tonnage vessel. One way to accomplish this is to have a
designated human lookout to “eyeball” the horizon for any developing
collision course.
• Use defensive driving skills on the waterway just as you do on the
roadway. e other vessel may not know the “rules of the road” Be
alert and ready to take immediate action.
• If a collision course is unavoidable neither boat has the right of
way. Both boats must react to avoid an accident according to the
rules of the road.
Signals