Safety information

EJU30960

Rules of the Road

Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered a powerboat. Operation of the water- craft must be in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the waterway on which it is used.

Just as there are rules that apply when you are driving on streets and highways, there are waterway rules that apply when you are operating your watercraft. These rules are used in- ternationally, and are also enforced by the United States Coast Guard and local agen- cies. You should be aware of these rules, and follow them whenever you encounter another vessel on the water.

Several sets of rules prevail according to geographic location, but are all basically the same as the International Rules of the Road. The rules presented here in this owner’s/opera- tor’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 operating your watercraft.

Steering and sailing rules

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 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 always move in such a way that the operator of the other vessel can see what you are doing. The General Prudential Rule regarding the right-of-way is that if a collision appears un- avoidable, neither boat has the right-of-way. Both boats must avoid the collision.

In other words, follow the standard rules except when a collision will occur unless both vessels try to avoid each other. If that is the case, both vessels become give-way vessels.

Rules when encountering vessels

There are three main situations that you may encounter with other vessels which could lead to a collision unless the Steering Rules are fol- lowed:

Meeting: you are approaching another vessel head-on

Crossing: you are traveling across another vessel’s path

Overtaking: you are passing or being passed by another vessel

In the following illustration, your watercraft is in the center. You should give the right-of-way to any vessels shown in the white area (you are the give-way vessel). Any vessels in the shaded area must yield to you (they are the

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