Safety information
Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you are the
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Other special situationsThere are three other rules you should be aware of when driving your boat around other vessels.
Narrow channels and bends
When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the right when it is safe and practical to do so. If the operator of a power- driven vessel is preparing to go around a bend that may obstruct the view of other water vessels, the operator should sound a prolonged blast on the whistle (4 to 6 seconds). If another vessel is around the bend, it too should sound the whistle. Even if no reply is heard, however, the vessel should still proceed around the bend with caution. If you navigate such waters with your boat, you will need to carry a portable air horn, available from local marine supply stores.
Fishing vessel
All vessels that are fishing with nets, lines or trawls are considered to be “fishing vessels” under the International Rules. Vessels with trolling lines are not considered fishing ves- sels. Fishing vessels have the
Sailing vessel
Sailing vessels should normally be given the
1.When the sailing vessel is overtaking the
2.Sailing vessels should keep clear of any fishing vessel.
3.In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel should not hamper the safe passage of a
Reading buoys and other markers
The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation by the lateral system of buoyage. Simply put, buoys and markers have an arrangement of shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side of the buoy a boater should pass on when navigating in a particular direction. The markings on these buoys are oriented from the perspective of being entered from seaward (the boater is going towards the port). This means that red buoys are passed on the starboard (right) side when proceeding from open water into port, and black buoys are to port (left) side. When navigating out of port, your position with respect to the buoys should be reversed; red buoys should be to port and black buoys to star- board.
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