Safety information

Contact the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administra- tors, or your local Power Squadron for a complete set of rules governing the waters in which you will be using your boat.

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Boating organizations

The following organizations provide boating safety training and information about boating safety and laws.

United States Coast Guard

Consumer Affairs Staff (G-BC)

Office of Boating, Public, and Consumer Affairs

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

Washington, D.C. 20593-0001

Boating Safety Hotline: 1-800-368-5647 www.uscgboating.org

United States Power Squadrons

1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777) www.usps.org

Boat Owners Association of The United States

1-800-336-BOAT (1-800-336-2628) www.boatus.com

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)

1500 Leestown Road, Suite 330 Lexington, KY 40511 859-225-9497 www.nasbla.org

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

200 East Randolph Drive

Suite 5100

Chicago, IL 60601

www.nmma.org

Marine Retailers Association of America

155 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60304

www.mraa.com

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Basic boating rules (Rules of

the road)

Just as there are rules that apply when you are driving on streets and highways, there are waterway rules that apply when you are driving your boat. These rules are used interna- tionally. (For USA: and are also enforced by the United States Coast Guard and local agencies.) You should be aware of these rules, and follow them whenever you encounter another vessel on the water.

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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 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 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 maintain your direction and speed, the other vessel will be able to determine how best to avoid you.

Give-way vessel

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

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