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5
driving your boat. These rules are used inter-
nationally, and are also enforced by the Unit-
ed States Coast Guard and local agencies.
You should be aware of these rules, and fol-
low them whenever you encounter another
vessel on the water.
Several sets of rules prevail according to geo-
graphic location, but are all basically the same
as the International Rules of the Road. The
rules presented here in your Owner’s Manual
are condensed, and have been provided for
your convenience only. Consult your local
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or Department of
Motor Vehicles for a complete set of rules
governing the waters in which you will be us-
ing your boat.
EMU25510
Steering and sailing rules and sound
signals
Whenever two vessels on the water meet one
another, one vessel has the right-of-way; it is
called the “stand-on” vessel. The vessel
which 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 what each vessel should do.
Stand-on vessel
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty
to continue its course and speed, except to
avoid an immediate collision. When you main-
tain your direction and speed, the other vessel
will be able to determine how best to avoid
you.
Give-way vessel
The vessel which 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, you should not cross in front
of the vessel with the right-of-way. You should
slow down or change directions briefly and
pass behind the other vessel. You should al-
ways move in such a way that the operator of
the other vessel can see what you are doing.
“The general prudential rule”
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International
Rules and says,
“In obeying and construing these rules due re-
gard shall be had to all dangers of navigation
and collision, and to any special circumstanc-
es, which may render a departure from the
above rules necessary in order to avoid im-
mediate danger.”
In other words, follow the standard rules ex-
cept when a collision will occur unless both
vessels try to avoid each other. If that is the
case, both vessels become “Give-Way” ves-
sels.
EMU25520
Rules when encountering vessels
There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which could
lead to a collision unless the Steering Rules
are followed:
Meeting: (you are approaching another ves-
sel head-on)
Crossing: (you are traveling across the other
vessel’s path)
Overtaking: (you are passing or being
passed by another vessel)
In the following illustration, your boat is in the
center. You should give the right-of-way to
any vessels shown in white area (you are the
Give-Way vessel). Any vessels in the shaded
area must yield to you (they are the Give-Way
vessels). Both you and the meeting vessel
must alter course to avoid each other.
U69J14E0.book Page 5 Friday, March 12, 2004 10:20 AM